Capitals beat Bruins in shootout

Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich (21) scores against Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (30) in the shootout of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Thursday, March 29, 2012. The Capitals won 3-2. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Tonight's game was a tough one to watch at the start, actually the first two periods. Then in the third period, both teams woke up, well the Bruins woke up late in the game. The Capitals scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the third period. The Bruins would score twice in the final 5 minutes of the period to tie the game 2-2. The game would eventually go to a shootout and Brooks Laich would win it for the Capitals 3-2.

Quick game summary
In the first period, no scoring happened but defenseman Adam McQuaid was injured from a hit he took into the boards behind Tim Thomas by Jason Chimera. McQuaid looked back and must have seen Chimera coming as he got the puck and made his way behind the net. Then he started to turn his back and Chimera finished his check sending McQuaid into the boards. McQuaid stayed down and was helped off the ice. He eventually got up and went to the dressing room and he did not return to the game. Chimera was given a 5-minute major for charging and game misconduct. Obviously Chimera should have slowed up but McQuaid should have not turned his back there. I don't see no suspension for Chimera on this hit. This is a play where defensemen have to learn to stop turning their backs at the last second. McQuaid has had a concussion this season so hopefully this is not another one. With McQuaid out that means more Joe Corvo and he is still not playing well.

Jason Chimera's hit on Adam McQuaid

Also during the first period, Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun played only 18:25 as he came off the ice after a stoppage of play as it looked like he may have re-aggravated his groin injury. Michal Neuvirth would come in and play net for the Capitals for the rest of the game.

In the second period, no scoring happened. This was another boring period.

In the third period, Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson scored goals 1:55 apart making it 2-0 Capitals. Later, David Krejci scored his 21st goal of the season, making it 2-1. Only 1:54 later, Andrew Ference scored his 6th goal of the season to tie the game 2-2.

The game went into overtime but nobody scored. It then went to a shootout: David Krejci was stopped, Matt Hendricks scored, Tyler Seguin scored on a sick backhand deke, Alex Ovechkin hit the post, Patrice Bergeron scored, Alexander Semin scored, Rich Peverley was stopped and Brooks Laich scored on a sick backhander to win the game for the Capitals.

Tim Thomas played in net for the Bruins and made 21 saves on 23 shots. Thomas is now 33-19-1 with a 2.38 GAA and a .920 save percentage this season.

Game notes
Dennis Seidenberg was out of the lineup as he had an infection from a cut he got in a recent game. So Joe Corvo was in the lineup and it seemed to me that every time he was on the ice he would make a mistake or bad decision that would give the Capitals a chance. Right now I would rather see Mike Mottau in the lineup than Corvo.

The Bruins led the game in shots 28-23, faceoff wins 35-23 and hits 27-20. The Capitals led the game in blocked shots 20-8.

Milan Lucic led the Bruins with 5 hits.

Patrice Bergeron went 18-7 in the faceoff circle, with another strong performance.

Onto the next one
The Bruins are now 45-28-4 with 94 points. The next game for the Bruins is at the New York Islanders on Saturday at 1pm. The Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight so look for them to not lay down as they're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.