Impact player
It’s hard to beat Troy Brouwer, who scored the game-winning goal on a power play late in regulation. That came with 1:27 remaining and surprised Boston goalie Tim Thomas from the right wing. Brouwer also was a physical presence with three hits.
Under the radar
Jay Beagle continues to shine for Washington. He has played a strong third-line center throughout the postseason. Beagle’s second-period goal put the Caps up 2-0.
Did you notice …
A hit by Boston forward Shawn Thornton late in second period on Capitals forward Matt Hendricks? That sparked the Bruins, who scored later that shift on a Dennis Seidenberg shot — and again 28 seconds later by Brad Marchand.
From the bench
Boston coach Claude Julien, tired of watching his top offensive players avoid the tough areas in front of Washington’s goal, sent Brad Marchand down to the fourth line from the second. He responded with the game-tying goal in the second period.
In a surprise move, Caps coach Dale Hunter reacted to Nicklas Backstrom’s return from a suspension by scratching Mathieu Perreault. Hunter wanted to keep the Mike-Knuble-Keith Aucoin-Joel Ward unit together as the fourth line after their strong play in Game 4.
