The Boston Bruins, holding tight to their second seed in the East, came into this game against the Washington Capitals with the distinct possibility of officially clinching their playoff spot. But to do so, they needed two points, and that was a hill too steep to climb against the Capitals, who are struggling just to get into the postseason party at all. Forty minutes of frustrating scoreless hockey, one injury and two goals against later, the Bruins seemed to be falling into old, bad ways and Jack Edwards was citing statistics about the possibility of being shut out for the eighth time this season. The Bruins did mount a late-game comeback, enough to go into extra time and gain a point, but they just couldn't get that second one.
The first period was mostly unremarkable, with the Capitals testing Tim Thomas just twice, but then near the end of the period came the controversy. Jason Chimera came off the bench and started skating through the neutral zone, headed right for Adam McQuaid, who was alone behind the net with the puck. Out of what originally looked like nowhere on TV (because the camera was focusing tightly on McQuaid at the time), Chimera hit McQuaid pretty hard and sent him to the ice. Chimera received a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct, ending his night early. McQuaid's night ended early, too: he was taken out of the game as a precaution. It's good to see the medical team using an abundance of caution, though. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Post-game, coach Claude Julien said he didn't see any intent to injure from the hit, but did term it reckless. He added that McQuaid cut his forehead and he is waiting for good news forthcoming. Okay, that's good news, because it looked bad. However, I still didn't like it from where I sat. Chimera had some time before reaching McQuaid and built up speed in the process, of course. He's a speedy guy. But at the same time, that's enough time for him to slow himself down too. No one else was near McQuaid. Yes, I do think that it was reckless, and if the league truly wants players to cut that stuff out, he should expect a Brendan Shanahan phone call, but I personally have no reason to believe one will happen for sure. I'd love to be proven wrong.
The Bruins kept it scoreless throughout the second, but not for lack of trying. There were those frustrating times when all you can really do is sit there wondering how it didn't get behind Michal Neuvirth, who relieved Tomas Vokoun early in the game because Vokoun is still dealing with the effects of a groin injury.
But then in the third, things fell apart a bit. Suddenly the home team was down by two after fairly quick-strike goals by Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson. They did manage an awe-inducing comeback late in the period, though, on goals by David Krejci and Andrew Ference. It made TD Garden sound absolutely jubilant! In overtime there were more good chances, especially by Johnny Boychuk, but the game went into a shootout. This is where Brooks Laich proceeded to break Thomas' record of being perfect in the shootout this season when he scored in the fourth round.
So, in the end, the hungrier team got its meal, perhaps. The Bruins just have to wait a little longer to clinch. It's too bad they couldn't do it in this game, though.
Might I add that this was Joe Corvo's first game back after being scratched for the past six? He hadn't played since the 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers. In that time, the Bruins went 5-1-0. He is not the only reason for this loss. He wasn't even on the ice for either of Washington's goals. I know this.
But the coincidence is rather strange, and considering the team also has Mike Mottau and Torey Krug ready to go on defense, I really think they should consider sitting him out again. Krug can't play in postseason, so his opportunities to play in 2011-12 are running out, and Mottau hasn't played at all since March 10. Consider that Krug won the CCHA scoring title this season, the first time a defenseman did so since 1986-87, before he was a twinkle in his mother's eyes. Why not give him a nod?
Next up for the Bruins is a game against the New York Islanders on March 31. I would caution against underestimating the Islanders. They just beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in both parts of a home-and-home. They've beaten the Bruins recently. A win is not impossible, but also it is not guaranteed. The Bruins are going to need to do their best!
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