Bruins at Capitals
THE STORY:
The Boston Bruins got the red-carpet treatment in the nation’s capital
Monday when they were honored by President Barack Obama at the White
House for winning the Stanley Cup in June. Even though the Bruins ended a
39-year drought with the championship, Obama joked that he was none too
eager to see another team from Boston. “The Bruins, the (Red) Sox, the
Celtics, now the Patriots. Enough already, Boston.” Bruins goaltender
Tim Thomas was a noticeable absentee because of his right-wing leanings
on politics and disagreements with the policies of the current
administration. A more noteworthy absence – one with powerful left wing
leanings – will impact Boston’s game against the host Washington
Capitals on Tuesday. Washington star left winger Alex Ovechkin will be
unavailable after he was suspended three games by the NHL on Monday for a
hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek on Sunday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), CS Washington
ABOUT THE BRUINS (31-13-2):
Boston has finally cooled off somewhat, splitting its last six games
following a ridiculous streak in which the Bruins won 25 of 30. Of
course, five of the last six have been on the road for Boston, which had
to rebound from a last-second overtime loss to the New York Rangers on
Saturday with a 6-5 shooting win at Philadelphia the following day.
Defenseman Andrew Ference is also serving a three-game suspension Sunday
for a hit on Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (25-19-3):
Ovechkin’s suspension, the third of his career, comes at a bad time for
Washington. He had his first three-point game of the season in Sunday’s
loss to Pittsburgh and has lit up the Bruins for 12 goals and 14
assists in 24 career games. The Capitals did receive some good news
Monday. Leading scorer Nicklas Backstrom skated on his own for the first
time since Jan. 6. He has been sidelined for the past nine games
because of a concussion.
OVERTIME:
1. Boston went 3-1 against Washington last season, with Thomas in net for all three wins.
2.
The Capitals, helped by seven wins in their last eight home games, are
one point behind division-leading Florida in the Southeast.
3. The Bruins are 14-4 in their last 18 road games, but they have won only two of their last eight in Washington.