NHL Playoff Schedule 2012: Players Who Will Lead Bruins Past Capitals in Game 7

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals have battled back and forth for six games without solving anything, so the series will be decided by tonight's Game 7. Despite a valiant effort from the lower seed, I expect the Bruins to skate into the second round.

Let's take a look at three players who will help them accomplish that task with strong performances tonight. For a complete look at the remaining playoff schedule for the opening round, visit the league's official site.

Tyler Seguin

Seguin led the Bruins in scoring during the regular season with 67 points, but has tallied only two during the series. He's simply too talented to keep getting shut down, so it shouldn't surprise anybody if he has his best showing of the series when it matters most.

His combination of vision and quickness makes him virtually impossible to stop when he's playing his best. He's hasn't reached that level yet in this series, which has to worry the Capitals heading into tonight. The young star is due for a big game.

It's important for Seguin to come out on the attack. He's been sitting back too much. As long as he's the aggressor, the Bruins will be in great shape.

Zdeno Chara

It's impossible to quantify exactly how important Chara has become to the Bruins. He's able to shut down an opponent's top line while also playing a crucial role on offense and special teams. And his size poses a major problem for players hoping to crash the net.

Since the Bruins get to change last, Chara will see a lot of Alex Ovechkin in Game 7. The Capitals star has endured a streaky season, and Washington doesn't perform nearly as well when he's off his game for obvious reasons. Chara needs to take him out of his game early.

The Capitals will want to open the game up so their smooth-skating forwards can get plenty of scoring chances. It's up to Chara and his defense mates to keep the defensive zone locked down.

Tim Thomas

As if so often the case in the NHL playoffs, it comes back to the goalie. Thomas led the Bruins to several pressure-packed victories during their Stanley Cup run last year, and he'll have to do it again in the first round this year.

He's one of the league's best players between the pipes and always seems to rise to the occasion. Even though Braden Holtby has played better than most people expected coming into the series, you have to give the goaltending edge to Boston.

Thomas has the ability to steal any given game. Bruins head coach Claude Julien is hoping that type of performance tonight. He'll get it, and Boston will advance.