NHL Playoff Bracket 2012: Bruins Have Momentum to Topple Capitals in Boston

On the verge of getting knocked out of the playoffs on Sunday, the Boston Bruins dug deep and came away with an electric 4-3 victory in overtime in Washington D.C.

Despite being the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Capitals have been more of a challenge than the Bruins could have imagined, riding a hot streak that has them capable of knocking off the favorites.

But when Tyler Seguin came out of the rut he was in on Sunday and swung home the game-winning goal, everything changed.

Seguin, who led the Bruins with 29 goals and 67 points during the regular season, was scoreless in the postseason before his dagger in Game 6. He's also just 20 years old and realizing his potential.

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, who also stepped up in Game 6, said of Seguin, via ESPN, "It was a coming-of-age goal there in overtime."

The Bruins aren't my favorites to win the Stanley Cup, but they are riding the same wave of momentum that the Capitals were when they raced off to a 3-2 series lead. Now the momentum has shifted, and it is the Bruins going for the series win at home.

The Bruins have more talent than the Capitals—we already knew that. But they weren't playing as well as a team, and some of their stars were struggling in the early goings of the series. Now, with Seguin and Thomas back in form, and a spectacular victory under their belt, the Bruins are back to playing the hockey that made them the East's No. 2 seed in the first place.

The Capitals had a chance to shock the world on Sunday in D.C., but they failed to do so, and it will end for the Capitals on Wednesday in Boston.

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