Physical win over Bruins gives Capitals fans a happy new year

The many fans who came to see Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals take on the Boston Bruins Tuesday didn’t see the Great Eight make progress toward Wayne Gretzky’s goals record, but they were treated to a hard-nosed game as the home team notched a 3-1 victory.

It was Ovechkin’s first home game since Nov. 11 after recovering from a broken left fibula that sidelined him for five weeks. But the Russian couldn’t extend his four-game goal-scoring streak.

Instead, the Washington faithful were treated to an electric goaltending performance by Logan Thompson. The 27-year-old shut out Boston for the final 58 minutes and 39 seconds after allowing a wonky goal less than two minutes into the game.

“Just an unfortunate bounce,” Thompson said of Boston’s lone goal, which snuck into the net off the stick of Bruins forward Justin Brazeau. “The guy kind of whiffed on the shot, as well. Overall, a crappy play. Those happen, though.”

What defined the day for Washington, according to coach Spencer Carbery, was how they responded to the early deficit. Twelve minutes into the first period, center Aliaksei Protas scored the first of his two goals to tie the game at 1.

The first power play opportunity arrived a few minutes later when Boston’s Mark Kastelic was sent to the penalty box for slashing. 
The Capitals wasted no time — a snapshot by defenseman Jakob Chychrun just 15 seconds into the power play gave Washington a 2-1 lead.

With his eleventh goal of the season, Chychrun tied for the league lead among defensemen.

“He’s a great reader of the game offensively of where to jump and the space to jump to,” coach Spencer Carbery said after the game. “So, a lot of times, [the puck] ends up on his stick in a really dangerous situation.”

With Thompson acting as a brick wall in goal, Washington controlled a scoreless second period, killing a pair of power plays to maintain the lead heading into the final frame.

It was a physical performance by the Capitals, who lead the Eastern Conference in point percentage. Washington’s skaters recorded 26 hits compared to Boston’s 16 and blocked 28 shots, eight more than the Bruins.

“They’re putting their bodies on the line. I know they’re tired; it’s kind of a tough schedule as of late,” a grateful Thompson said following Washington’s third game in 72 hours. “We needed that. That’s just how we play as a team.”

The defensive grit might be best encapsulated by alternate captain John Carlson, who lost his stick during a Boston scoring chance in the second period. Undaunted, he resorted to kicking the puck away from goal like a soccer player.

That energy extended to both ends of the ice. Ten minutes into the third period, after an array of near-misses for the Capitals, a brawl broke out during a Washington power play. Capitals center Connor McMichael and Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon started pushing and shoving in the crease, leading to a brawl around the net.

Washington’s Andrew Mangiapane tackled Boston’s Brandon Carlo to the ice, straddling him as he delivered a flurry of punches. Mangiapane, Carlo, McMichael and Bruins center Charlie Coyle were penalized for roughing in the melee.

The 5-foot-10 Mangiapane received praise from his teammates for scrapping with the 6-foot-5 Carlo.

“Feisty, I’ve never seen that out of Mangiapane,” Thompson said. “I was impressed. I don’t think I’d fight [Carlo].”

A furious six-on-five attack by the Bruins in the final minute kept fans on their feet until the buzzer blew. Most of them were worried about whether Boston could equalize, but others had their eyes on a late goal.

Ovechkin, who is still 25 goals away from passing Gretzky, already holds the record for empty-netters.

But Carbery kept his captain on the bench for the final stretch. Instead, Protas broke away, taking advantage of the empty net to add his second goal.

“It’s usually depending on the score situation. That’s where I’ll measure when he goes in on a five-on-six,” the coach said. “It’s just a feel situation and scenario matchup; what’s happened in the game.”

The Capitals (25-10-2) return to action Thursday at Capital One Arena against the Minnesota Wild in the second of a three-game homestand.