NHL Playoffs 2012: 5 Changes the Washington Capitals Need to Make for Game 2

There is nothing quite like overtime playoff hockey. Every rush up the ice brings the crowd to its feet. Every shot on goal could be the one that ends it. Heck, I don't think the referees even use their whistles in overtime.

The Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins brought some overtime fun into Day 2 of the NHL playoffs. Chris Kelly's winner 1:18 in made sure they didn't play too much free hockey, sending the Bruins to a 1-0 series lead. They outshot, outhit and, for long stretches, outclassed a Capitals team that had beaten Boston twice on its home ice this season.

The Capitals are playing outside of the top three seeds for the first time since 2008, and they slipped into the playoffs only by winning Game 81 this season. While they shouldn't be proud of an underperforming season, the playoffs offer a fresh start to make the season memorable.

While no loss is a "good" loss in playoff hockey, the Capitals have no reason to hang their collective heads. Being outplayed and losing on the road doesn't seem like a momentum-builder, but there are plenty of positives to build on for Game 2 Saturday.

With their playoff beards still in their infancy, here are five changes the Capitals must make before Game 2 in Boston.

Make Thomas Work

With only 17 shots in Game 1, including two in the second period, the Caps need to make Tim Thomas and his bionic hip work. The Caps seemed to spend more energy trying to match the Bruins hit for hit.

Thomas has shown that he can be very human in goal on any night.

Peppering the 38-year-old backstop needs to be a priority. Putting a big body, a la Troy Brouwer, in front of the goal isn't a bad idea either. Creating traffic and taking as many shots as possible greatly improves Washington's chances moving forward.

Give Up Fewer Shots

Washington's third-string goalie looked like their first string last night. Stopping 29 of 30 is usually good enough to get the win. Braden Holtby was the reason the Caps were able to get to overtime. He had as many saves in the second period alone as Tim Thomas had the entire game for the Bruins.

Included in his effort, were about six short-handed minutes at the end of the first and beginning of the second period. The Caps cannot expect Holtby to perform at the level that he did Thursday night.

Having only started 21 NHL games prior to last night, it isn't fair to put the weight of these games on the rookie. Cutting down on the Bruins' chances will lighten Holtby's workload considerably.

Stay out of the Penalty Box

The only category that Washington trumped Boston in was penalty minutes. Making a rookie work like Holtby last night will get you out of the playoffs early. Short-handed, on the road, with a rookie in goal is not where the Caps want to be.

Washington tried to match Boston hit for hit last night, with their best player, Alex Ovechkin, flying around like a wrecking ball. While it's important to establish a physical presence and not back down from the physical Bruins, the Caps would have been better served using that energy to shoot more pucks.

A stupid four-minute cross check by Jay Beagle could have and should have cost the Caps in the first. They will need to play smarter to stay alive.

Forget About Game 1

While any loss is tough, a playoff loss is tougher to accept. Add in some overtime, and the loss sticks around a little longer. Fortunately, the Caps had less than two minutes of overtime hockey to wash from their memories. Grinding out an extra 20 minutes or so of extra hockey before losing would be a lot tougher to swallow.

Dale Hunter will remind the gang that it was outplayed by the defending Stanley Cup champs in their house and only lost 1-0. The Bruins basically held serve in Game 1. The Capitals have the talent and had beaten Boston three out of four times already this year, including twice in Boston.

You lost Game 1 on the road, to the reigning champs, with a rookie goalie, 1-0, in overtime. Get over it. Move forward.

Shuffle the Lines

I can't remember every line combination that Dale Hunter threw at Boston last night, but I think he would be well served to reunite Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin. At least for a little bit. Zdeno Chara will be on every time Ovechkin's skate hits the ice, so why not give Alex a little help?

If for no other reason than to give Ovechkin a little bit more room to operate, Backstrom and Semin demand the Bruins' attention almost as much as Ovie does. With Boston able to make the final line change, Hunter can foul up its strategy by getting more creative with his line combos.

Putting the best three offensive Capitals on the ice, gives Washington an advantage beyond Chara. Keep it fresh, keep it fun and Washington can steal Game 2 before heading back to D.C

Follow Rob Kirk on Twitter @theRobKirk