The Boston Bruins will host the Washington Capitals at TD Garden for an important matinee matchup. This game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and marks the second of three regular-season encounters between the two teams. In their previous meeting, the Bruins won 3-1 at Capital One Arena.
Insight into Bruins and Capitals Showdown
Bruins’ head coach, Marco Sturm, highlighted the significance of every game as the season progresses. “It is playoff hockey right now,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency among teams in the playoff race. The Bruins are vying for a strong finish after suffering a 6-3 defeat to the Nashville Predators earlier in the week.
Player Updates
One notable change for the Bruins is the return of Alex Steeves, who will be in the lineup for the first time since February 4. The 26-year-old forward will skate on the third line alongside Fraser Minten and Morgan Geekie.
- Steeves signed a two-year extension in January.
- He has recorded 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 38 games this season.
Sturm expressed his commitment to involving all players, stating, “We need a little bit more juice” in their power play, where Steeves will also contribute.
The Bruins are successful at home, boasting 11 consecutive wins on their ice. Jeremy Swayman will be the starting goaltender, aiming to build on his previous performance with 34 saves in a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. His current statistics include a 2.85 goals against average and a .905 save percentage over 40 games.
Players to Watch
Among the Bruins’ standout players, Morgan Geekie achieved a career-high with 34 goals and leads the team in goals. He also ranks second in points, behind David Pastrnak. Additionally, Jonathan Aspirot returns to the lineup, expected to pair up with Charlie McAvoy after missing the last game due to illness.
Capitals Struggle and Key Players
On the other side, the Capitals recently fell to the Utah Mammoth 3-2. The team is currently four points behind the Bruins, competing for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
- Captain Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals with 50 points (24 goals, 26 assists).
- Ovechkin is positioned on the first line with Dylan Strome and Anthony Beauvillier.
- Tom Wilson leads the team for power-play goals, scoring seven this season.
Washington’s power play is ranked 28th in the league, operating at 16.4%. The Capitals will be without veteran defenseman John Carlson, who was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for future draft picks. Carlson recorded 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 55 games before the trade.
This matchup promises to be crucial for both teams as they navigate the final stretch of the season, making every point count in the playoff hunt.
