Capitals 2, Bruins 1: Joel Ward, who spent 11 seasons bouncing around junior, college and minor leagues before he made it to the NHL, in an instant etched his name in Washington sports history. But with a rebound off Boston goalkeeper Tim Thomas by an equally unlikely battery-mate—39-year-old journeyman Mike Knuble—Ward slipped the puck past Thomas about three minutes into overtime and sent the 2011 Stanley Cup champions packing.
TD Garden fell silent as Knuble and Ward’s teammates surrounded them against the boards in celebration. After seven games—four of which went to overtime and all decided by one goal—the Capitals are headed to the next round of the playoffs.
The Capitals struck first in Game 7, with Matt Hendricks scoring about 11 minutes in to the opening frame. The Bruins finally responded 14 minutes deep into the second period, much of which was played at the feet of Braden Holtby, the Caps’ rookie goaltender who once again proved more nimble than the veteran Thomas. Holtby, whose jerseys are already a hot commodity, finished with 31 saves to Thomas’ 25.
Washington fired off many more shots in the third period, despite having to kill off two Bruins power plays. When the clock ran out, Capitals fans everywhere surely thought of the team’s middling record in seventh games, especially when skating in front of a vigorous New England crowd.
But free hockey turned out to be fortuitous for the Capitals once again. After several attempts by Washington force the puck in, Knuble’s close-up shot managed to occupy Thomas’ attention for just long enough for Ward to deftly tap the puck behind the goalie for the win.
Around Washington, barrooms and living rooms erupted in cheer. In Boston, a despondent crowd emptied out quickly. Thomas, clean-pated save a G. Gordon Liddy-esque mustache, grimaced as he skated off the ice.
Depending on the results of tonight’s games, the Capitals will next face the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils or Philadelphia Flyers. But while they wait, the Caps are riding high today, especially head coach Dale Hunter, who notched his first playoff series victory. “It’s awesome,” Hunter told the Post after the game.
Indeed, it is.
