Kelly the hero as Bruins take Game 1 against Caps in OT
Chris Kelly's goal 1:18 into overtime gave the
Bruins a 1-0 series lead over Washington. (Dave Arnold
Photography)
Final: Boston 1, Washington 0 (OT)
Recap: After a fesity, scoreless first period, the Bruins absolutely took over in the middle frame, out-shooting the Capitals by an absurd 17-2 margin. The only problem? None of them got by Braden Holtby.
Momentum shifted in the third, during which Washington kept
Boston's offense in check and had a number of high-quality chances
on Tim Thomas. No. 30 stood tall and bailed out his teammates.
It took just 1:18 into overtime to find a winner, as Chris Kelly
finally opened the scoring more than 61 minutes into the
contest.
Series: Boston leads 1-0
Key Play of the Game: In a game filled with
failed scoring chance after failed scoring chance, we might as well
point to the lone successful one. Kelly crossed over the blue line
and absolutely labeled one for the top corner. It was both an
elating experience and a relieving one for the TD Garden
faithful.
Connolly's Commendations: After two pretty
ghost-like periods, the Kelly line had Boston's best chance in the
third period (via No. 23, of course) and came through when it
mattered most. As the only players to pick up points, we'll give
Kelly, Brian Rolston and Benoit Pouliot some obligatory kudos.
Straying from the usual routine, Braden Holtby probably deserved
First Star of the game for his performance. The widely-unknown
rookie was simply superb and kept his team -- which had just seven
shots through 40 minutes -- in it right until the very end.
Down the other end of the ice, Thomas had an easy go of it in the
first two periods, but a third-period onslaught required top-notch
netminding and clutch saves in order for the Bruins to have a
chance to win it. The reigning Conn Smythe winner gave them just
that.
Connolly's Critiques: Joe Corvo came dangerously
close to costing the B's on a number of occasions. The most
memorable moment came in overtime. Just before Kelly's goal, Corvo
made the mistake of trying to pinch in and saw his man carry the
puck up the ice. Thankfully his partner bailed him out.
David Krejci is renown for raising his game up to another level
in the playoffs. Looks like he went in the opposite direction in
Game 1. His line was offsides ad nauseum, he committed two
penalties and he didn't put a puck on net. Rough night for No.
46.
Notes: The Bruins improved to 2-3 in playoff
openers under Claude Julien. Patrice Bergeron won 18-of-25 (72%)
faceoffs on the night.
Next: The B's and Caps will square off again on
Saturday at 3 o'clock at TD Garden.