Bruins smothered in 2-0 road loss to Capitals
The Boston Bruins could muster only 16 shots on goal Monday night, as the Washington Capitals smothered them defensively and generated just enough offense to escape with a 2-0 win at Capital One Arena.
Washington out-shot Boston 25-16 in the game, including 22-8 over the first two periods. The first goal of the night came on a shot from the point by Capitals defenseman John Carlson. Their second score came from Nic Dowd on an empty net near the end of regulation.
John Carlson opens the scoring with a bomb from the point! 💣 pic.twitter.com/NkuFaUfJuB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 15, 2024
The Capitals played a conservative style in their half of the ice, opting for defensive layers to keep the Bruins out of the danger areas when they controlled the puck. The effort paid off in the end. In total, the Capitals held a 10-5 edge in high-danger chances at 5-on-5.
Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 of 25 Capitals shots (.960) in the tough-luck losing effort. Newcomer Pat Maroon, meanwhile, made his Bruins debut, and logged a shot on goal and six hits in 15:58 of ice time.
Up Next: The Bruins get one final tuneup before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs when they take on the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at TD Garden.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
3 Stars: Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman stands out in dud vs. Caps
Third Star: Charlie Lindgren
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 15: Goalie Charlie Lindgren #79 of the Washington Capitals tends the net against the Boston Bruins during the third period at Capital One Arena on April 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Washington netminder Charlie Lindgren‘s season finale against the Bruins featured some light work, all things considered, as he had to turn aside just 16 shots in total for the shutout victory. Excluding early exits and relief appearances, the 16-save victory was Lindgren’s lightest workload in a winning effort this season, and earned him his second shutout against the Bruins this season.
Whether or not this was his own personal revenge for the Bruins trading his brother (and current Rangers defenseman) Ryan back in 2018, Lindgren became just the seventh goaltender to post multiple shutouts over the Bruins in the same season since 2005. The other goalies on that list: Montreal’s Cristobal Huet (2005-06) and Jaroslav Halak (2006-07), New York’s Henrik Lundqvist (2007-08), Washington’s Braden Holtby (2014-15), Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk (2016-17), and Carolina’s Freddie Andersen (2021-22).
Second Star: Jeremy Swayman
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on January 11, 2024. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Even in a loss, Monday felt like a step forward for the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman.
Back in net after a 22-of-26 loss against the Hurricanes last week, Swayman responded with a strong 23-save outing, and took a hard-luck loss with just one goal against. And believe me, this one would’ve been a lot worse for the Black and Gold without the dialed-in performance of the 25-year-old Swayman.
#NHLBruins Jeremy Swayman flashes the pad to save a goal in the final seconds of the first period: pic.twitter.com/pUrAREOp73
— Jason Cooke (@cookejournalism) April 15, 2024Swayman, who at one point was borderline playing himself out of the Bruins committing themselves to a playoff rotation in goal, has now posted a .919 save percentage (91 saves on 99 shots) over his last four outings, and has allowed two goals or fewer in three of those four contests.
First Star: John Carlson
Apr 15, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) celebrates with Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena. (Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)
The only skater to beat a goaltender in this one, John Carlson put the Capitals on the board with the only goal needed early in this one, with his blast hammered by Swayman at the 12-minute mark of the opening period.
While Carlson’s goal had an awful lot to do with a miscommunication between Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle, Carlson had the veteran know-how to dish the puck and then open himself back up for an even better look on Swayman.
In addition to the goal, Carlson added one block, one hit, and tallied four shots on goal.
