The Capitals, losers of seven straight, knew that they would face a huge test against Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins. Unless the Caps can find a way to solve the NHL's best goaltender and his tough teammates, the number '8' will no longer be great in Washington. The Capitals trail the Bruins 3-0 after 20 minutes.
Boston got off to a fast start, entering Washington's defensive zone at will. After some solid saves from Michal Neuvirth, Patrice Bergeron opened scoring at 3:27 on a soft wrist shot that somehow snuck past Neuvirth. Less than five minutes later, Andrew Ference scored his first goal in almost 100 games on a deflection from the point.at 8:13. Just seconds before Ference's goal, the Capitals got their first shot on net on Thomas.
Blake Wheeler made it 3-0 at 17:03 on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle.
Alex Ovechkin would have a great chance to score on Thomas from a feed behind the net, but Thomas scrambled and rolled through the crease to stop what seemed like a quality chance.