Bruins at Capitals
THE STORY: With the focus in Boston squarely on the New England Patriots and the Super Bowl on Sunday, the Boston Bruins’ recent run of lackluster play has gone largely unnoticed. The Bruins will have one more game to get things right before the spotlight shifts back to hockey. The Bruins will be looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak since October when they visit the Washington Capitals on Sunday – hours before the Super Bowl. Boston had developed a habit of pounding opponents on its way to the top of the Eastern Conference in November and December but has been hit-or-miss lately, posting a 4-5-1 record over its last 10 games. The Capitals got Alex Ovechkin back and snapped their own two-game losing streak with a win at Montreal on Sunday, but they are still in a fight at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and the top of the Southeast Division.
TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBCSP
ABOUT THE BRUINS (32-16-2): Boston sits comfortably in the No. 2 slot in the Eastern Conference but has lost that offensive spark of late, totaling one goal in back-to-back losses. While a 2-1 setback to the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins would not be much cause for concern, a 3-0 shutout loss at home to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday drew some questions. Tuukka Rask has struggled in increased time as Tim Thomas’ backup, losing each of his last three starts, and the defense is surrendering an average of 3.3 goals over the last 10 games, up from the season average of 2.2.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (27-20-4): Washington has contributed to Boston’s troubles of late, earning a 5-3 home win over the Bruins on Jan. 24. That and a pair of 3-0 victories over the Canadiens represent the only wins for the Capitals over their last eight games. Ovechkin returned to the lineup after a three-game suspension Saturday but managed just one shot on goal and no points in 21 shifts. Washington has only one power-play goal in its last eight games and none over the last five.
OVERTIME:
1. Ovechkin has 26 points – 12 goals – in 24 career games against Boston.
2. Rask allowed four goals in the loss to Washington last month and is 0-2-1 in his career against the Capitals.
3. The home team has won each of the last four meetings.