2012 NHL Playoffs: Washington Capitals' Power Play Proves Crucial in Game 4 Win

On Thursday night at the Verizon Center, the Washington Capitals defeated the Boston Bruins 2-1 in Game 4, tying their playoff series at two apiece.

Without a doubt, Braden Holtby won the game for the Caps. The young goaltender allowed just one goal on 45 shots.

Less than a minute-and-a-half into the first period, Marcus Johansson scored on a two-on-one break with linemate Brooks Laich. Later in the first period, Rich Peverley scored to tie the game at 1-1.

It was Alexander Semin’s second power-play marker of the series that proved to be the game-winning goal. From the left side of the offensive zone, Semin closed in on Boston goalie Tim Thomas and launched a 35-foot snap shot that soared past the American goalie's shoulder and into the top right corner of the net.

Four games into the series, and the Capitals are the only ones who have found success on the man advantage. The Caps first converted on the power play in Game 3. Boston, on the other hand, hasn’t scored on any of their 12 power-play opportunities.

The Caps' power play has proved to be lethal once it gets going. Of course, they have had a problem setting up plays in the offensive zone when on the man advantage, resulting in a squandered power play every so often.

Washington’s power-play strategy looked especially impressive in Game 4. Once they got set up in Boston’s zone, they simply moved the puck around and fired it towards the goal. During their first power play, the Caps gradually closed in on Thomas’ right side, yielding a handful of good scoring chances.

This series has been a very close one. In four games, the Caps and Bruins each have two wins. All four games have been decided by one goal, and the first two games ended up going into overtime.

If the Caps can continue to take advantage of power plays, in addition to keeping a good penalty-kill record, they will have a huge edge over the Bruins. As evidenced by Game 4, you never know which goal could end up being the game winner.