The Bruins played with effort and determination all night and, despite facing adversity in the second period, were able to outlast one of the better teams in the league and come away with a 4-2 win over the Capitals in Washington.
Offensive contributions from both likely and unlikely sources as well as another strong game from rookie netminder Jeremy Swayman (31 saves) highlighted an impressive road win.
Here are three key takeaways from the win:
1. Starting on time
Heading into Thursday’s meeting with the division-leading Capitals, the Bruins would need a complete, and honest, effort for any chance at earning two points on the road — especially in the absence of defensive anchors Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo.
Boston began the game as a team on a mission and were ready to play playoff style hockey from the opening faceoff.
With the top line on the ice, Brad Marchand picked off a TJ Oshie pass attempt in Boston’s defensive zone and with help from Patrice Bergeron and Craig Smith, transitioned to offense in Washington’s end of the ice.
From there, a Jeremy Lauzon shot from the point would squeak by Ilya Samsonov for his first goal of the season and third of his career just 33 seconds into the game.
Anton Blidh then took advantage of a crazy, yet fortunate bounce off the glass behind the Washington net for a tap-in goal to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead — the goal was also Blidh’s first of the season and second of his career.
The Bruins played with pace and physicality all period long and finished the frame with 17 shots on goal. They were engaged emotionally as well, exemplified by Nick Ritchie’s fight with Garnet Hathaway, punishing the Capitals agitator for an after the whistle hit on Jakub Zboril.
2. Penalty trouble gives Capitals life
As well as the Bruins played in the first period, they came out equally as strong in the second. Marchand even padded Boston’s lead with a highlight-reel shorthanded goal — the 30th of his career and second in as many games — when he toe-dragged around Justin Schultz while on a two-on-one before roofing a backhander top shelf for the 3-0 lead.
The three-goal cushion wouldn’t last however, thanks to some highly questionable officiating and a parade to Boston’s penalty box.
It started with Anton Blidh being whistled down for an uncommon “double-minor” that didn’t involve an injury from a high-stick. While on the backcheck, Blidh was truly guilty of an initial trip on Lars Eller carrying the puck through the neutral zone. He then gave Eller an extra push while on the ice and he was subsequently called for roughing. One almost never sees an NHL referee call multiple calls on the same play unless they’re blatantly deserved, which in this case, the roughing was a bizarre call.
While killing off Blidh’s double-minor, Jakub Zboril was then penalized for interfering with Conor Sheary on a moving screen where Zboril is completely entitled to his ice.
Alex Ovechkin and TJ Oshie would each capitalize on an elongated two-man advantage that would remain a 5-on-3 after Ovechkin’s goal as he scored during the first of Blihd’s two minor penalties.
The calls in favor of the Capitals weren’t over quite yet as play was blown dead with the Bruins on a 4-on-2 odd-man rush — the reason was because Oshie had been cut down the other end of the ice from an accidental high-stick that was rightfully not called a penalty.
Fortunately for the Bruins, the siren would sound to end any more opportunities for a comedy of errors from the refs.
3. Craig Smith continues to provide scoring
With the Bruins holding on to a one-goal lead late in the third period, they were granted a power play to help gain separation on the scoreboard.
While the top unit struggled to muster any scoring chances all game long on the man-advantage, it was the second unit that was able to cash in and give the Bruins a 4-2 lead.
Charlie Coyle couldn't quite stuff a puck around Ilya Samsonov, but his attempt bounced off Zdeno Chara's skate right to Craig Smith, who collected the puck and put it upstairs for an all important insurance goal.
The goal was Smith’s second point of the night — he also assisted on Lauzon’s opening tally — and he now has 10 points in his last 10 games (3G, 7A).
The Bruins still need to add offense before or at the trade deadline to be a true Cup contender, but the recent offense from Smith is what management envisioned when signing him as a top free agent last season.