"There were spells of this game where the Capitals were playing some smooth, fun hockey, but those spells were either interrupted by constant special teams play or didn't last long enough to have more of an impact on the final score. Per usual, the team started slow, not creating a single five-on-five high-danger chance in the first period and allowing four to the Bruins."
"Some serious thought needs to be put into wholesale changes for both units next season, because special teams directly lost this team an arguable 10-15 games this year. Another 0-for-3 effort while up a man for the Capitals drops them back to tied for 30th in the NHL in power play effectiveness (16.1 percent)."
"Ryan Leonard collected his 21st assist of the season on Protas' goal, marking his second straight game with a point (also 1g on 3/3 vs. UTA). Leonard, a native of Northampton, Masssachusetts, ranks fourth among NHL rookies in assists and tied for fourth in points (32)."
The Washington Capitals suffered a 3-1 regulation loss to the Boston Bruins, a critical defeat for their playoff aspirations following a trade deadline that demoralized the roster. While the team displayed moments of quality hockey, these stretches were either interrupted by frequent special teams situations or lacked sufficient impact. The Capitals struggled in the first period with no five-on-five high-danger chances while allowing four to Boston, recovered in the second with one goal and five chances, but faltered in the third. Special teams performance proved catastrophic: the power play went 0-for-3 (16.1% effectiveness, tied 30th in NHL) while allowing a power-play goal against, with penalty kill ranked 18th (78.6%). These special teams failures cost the team approximately 10-15 games this season.
Read at RMNB
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