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Craig Smith's OT Goal Lifts Bruins Past Alex Ovechkin, Capitals for Game 3 Win
May 20, 2021
After heading to overtime for the third game in a row, the Boston Bruins are the leaders in their first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, defeating East Division runner-ups for the second consecutive game to take a 2-1 advantage.
Boston won 3-2 on home ice on Wednesday thanks to a double-overtime winner from Craig Smith.
For the Capitals, who are trailing in the series after winning the first game in overtime, Alex Ovechkin and Nic Dowd both scored.
Notable Performers
- Craig Smith, Bruins: 1 goal, 1 assists, +2, 4 SOG
- Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: 1 goal, 4 SOG
- Taylor Hall, Bruins: 1 goal, +2, 2 SOG
- Tuukka Rask, Bruins: 35-of-37 saves
- Ilya Samsonov, Capitals: 40-of-43 saves
Taylor Hall Handles Early Issues for Bruins
The Bruins had the shot advantage in the first period, putting 10 pucks on net compared to just four from Washington. But the Washington offense that was so relentless earlier games came back in the second period, scoring first with an Alex Ovechkin point with 8:21 gone.
Less than a minute later, Taylor Hall was the savior yet again for Boston, scoring the equalizer a game after he forced overtime.
The Bruins had the advantage in the first period, when they found themselves on either side of the power play on three separate occasions but continued to dominate no matter how many men were on the ice.
But they slugged through the second, when they found themselves shorthanded twice.. They were outshot 16-11 in the frame, allowing the Capitals to go up initially on a power play goal.
The separation in the third was even more notable:
In the first overtime period, the Bruins outshot Washington 17-5 but couldn't capitalize.
Even at full strength, a lack of aggression seemed to be at the heart of the trouble for the Bruins after a fast first.
The Bruins got back on the power play on two separate instances early in the third, and they finally capitalized on the second to tie it up thanks to Brad Marchand.
But Boston has struggled with their power play throughout the series, having entered Wednesday scoring one goal through six chances.
Failing to convert four more against a third-string goaltender in Game 3 was a mark of the struggle for a team that finished the regular season with the No. 10 power play percentage in the league at 21.9 percent.
With Hall proving himself to be a major trade deadline pickup, it might be time for the Bruins to try him out on the top power play unit and see if it will make a difference in must-score moments.
Samsonov Stands Strong for Washington
Capitals backup goaltender Craig Anderson starred in Game 1, making 21 saves after starter Vitek Vanecek suffered a lower-body injury. After he allowed two quick goals in Game 2, he settled in, making 44 saves en route to a 4-3 overtime loss. But he didn't start in Game 3, with Washington looking to Ilya Samsonov to keep them from going down in the series.
It was certainly a unique decision when you're contending for dominance in a playoff series.
Anderson was out due to body maintenance, per Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. Center Lars Eller, who was tabbed with an assist in Game 2, was also out with a lower-body injury.
He kept the Capitals out of trouble in the first period, making 10 saves and surviving a five-on-three situation, though he had some help from his defense.
Boston managed to get the best of him right after hope momentarily left TD Garden as Ovechkin found the net.
Garnet Hathaway had his day in Game 2, when he had a pair of goals, but Game 3's hero (briefly) was his linemate, Nic Dowd, who deflected the go-ahead late in the second period.
The depth from that fourth line has been part of the difference that has helped the Capitals succeed even with three different netminders through as many games.
What's Next?
Game 4 is in Boston on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.