Bruins 1, Washington 0 (OT): Kelly’s heroics, Ovechkin’s off night
Kelly/By S. Bradley
BOSTON — Chris Kelly scored 20 goals during the regular season but refused to take credit for improving his offensive game.
Even after he scored the overtime game-winner in the Bruins’ 1-0 win against Washington in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Thursday at TD Garden, he was still crediting his linemates and the organization. Whether he likes it or not, however, Kelly was the hero of the pivotal first game of the best-of-seven series.
“Well, I think it’s fitting because to ask, I guess, our coaching staff, he was, without a doubt, our unsung hero this year, for what he’s accomplished — you know, scoring 20 or some goals, something he’d never done before, [and], you know, how he’s handled the players that have been with him this year,” Bruins head coach Claude Julien said. “He hasn’t always had the same wingers all the time, and still, that line’s always been good. … So it was nice to see, again, we talked about that line being able to hopefully get some secondary scoring like our third line did last year, and so far, they’re off to a good start.”
Brian Rolston and Benoit Pouliot both assisted on the goal that started with a Tim Thomas save on Marcus Johansson and then a Joe Corvo breakout pass off the glass.
For the complete game story, log on to NHL.com.
•Alexander Ovechkin was limited to one shot on goal. Read that again: Alexander Ovechkin was limited to one shot on goal. That was just the 10th time this season he was limited to that few shots. He averaged almost four shot on net per game in the regular season.
Dennis Seidenberg and Zdeno Chara were draped on him all night and combined for 10 hits. Ovechkin recorded seven hits. Read more about shutting down Ovechkin in my CBSBoston.com column.
•Thomas made 17 saves for his sixth career playoff shutout. His best save of the night was a stop on Ovechkin with the right pad during a Washington power play in the third period.
“It was a toe save. I know he likes that spot, generally, over there, but he’s been changing it up and going to different spots,” Thomas said. “I didn’t even think about [Alex] Ovechkin until the pass happened. I was focusing on who made the pass, the left-handed guy who made the pass. I was trying to get to my angle to make sure that he couldn’t score. But when I did see the pass released in that direction, I very quickly realized where it was going and who it was going to, so I’d better get over there very fast, and fortunately it hit my toe.”
•Johnny Boychuk returned to the lineup after missing the last two games of the regular season. He logged 17:58 of ice time and paired up with Andrew Ference to match the Nicklas Backstrom, Jason Chimera, Alexander Semin line.
•The Bruins’ power play is back to early-2011-playoffs mode, as it went 0-for-4 with six shots on net.
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Gotta disagree Bruins 16. If not for Holtby, this game is extremely one-sided and ends somewhere in the second. I doubt the caps get 5 shots in the 3rd if it isn’t a tie game. Agree that our defense was superb though.
Really enjoyed the physical play in this one as well, specially the hit from Seids on Ovey. The both carried on shaking the bugs out after the collision. Seemed like every chance the B’s had to take the body, they did. We’ll certainly wear them thin if we continue this style.
I thought the three stars should have been Sidenberg, Chara, and Boychuk (in that order), with honorable mention to Holtby and Ference. There is no question that the Capital forwards have their heads up now. Many of these hits were open ice hits, and only one penalty between the three of them.
Nice win. I agree next game should yield some goals. Cap’s tender played well being first playoffs and their top two out, he looked sharp but we keep shooting look out. Some good hits on both sides.
No doubt PCL. Holding them to just 7 shots after 2 was very impressive in my book. Having the D be this good in their own end will really prove valuable for TT’s longevity if they can make the run again. TT had a couple great saves when he needed to, and really looked to be on his game.
Very fitting to see Kelly get the game winner. He said after he thought it got deflected, which I thought at first, but seeing the replay I think he just flat out beat him on a great shot. TT even said after the game he’s been beating him a lot with that shot lately. I was actually thinking for some reason it would be Pouliot, but either way a great finish. Nice to see the third line get the finish, we’re going to really need them as the playoffs run on.
I think your right to, I expect the next game to open up a bit more early and see the B’s put some more pucks in the net. The playoff fever is in full swing boys! Go B’s!
Nice to see TT on his game after a few days off, as in the past it’s taken him a game after such a break.
Boychuk looked good, thankfully. Great shot by Kelly.
I’ve gotta think that the scoring will come for this team in the next game, including the PP, but it was awesome to see their game in their own end at that level in game one.