Neuvirth leaves game with flu-like symptoms in 3-1 defeat to Bruins
For the first five games of the NHL season, the Capitals got by on their spectacular raw talent even as their overall play left something to be desired.
So after a 4-1-0 start, it figured that on a night where it did more things right than wrong, Washington would end up on the losing end.
The Boston Bruins scored twice in the first 12 minutes and received an insurance goal from defenseman Matt Hunwick in the third period, handing the Caps their first loss of the season, 3-1, Tuesday night at Verizon Center.
“I thought in the first 10 minutes we played as hard as we have all year,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But you make one mistake and it’s in the net.”
Playing his fifth game in a row to start the season, rookie goalie Michal Neuvirth lasted just 12:42 before he was pulled because of flu-like symptoms. Semyon Varlamov, finally recovered from a lingering groin injury, took over with his team already down 2-0. He played well all things considered. The Bruins didn’t produce many scoring chances after those fruitful first 10 minutes as Varlamov stopped 14 of 15 shots.
The Bruins struck first when Nathan Horton found teammate David Krejci on a 2-on-1. Nicklas Backstrom was a step late getting back for the Caps and Krejci beat Neuvirth for his first goal of the season at 9:12. Boston’s second goal came on a scramble in front. A standing Neuvirth did well to stop a shot by defenseman Johnny Boychuk with his skate blade. But Milan Lucic was in front and Washington defenseman Jeff Schultz didn’t tie up his stick.
At 7:42 of the second period, rookie center Marcus Johansson recorded his first NHL goal and point. Teammate Matt Hendricks forced a turnover by Hunwick behind the Boston goal and Jason Chimera was there for a quick pass out front to Johansson, who slipped the shot past Tim Thomas.
Washington helped its own cause by killing all four Boston power plays. The penalty-kill unit is now a perfect 25-for-25 on the season. But the Caps were victimized at even strength early in the third. Hunwick beat a screened Varlamov with a wrist shot from just inside the blueline at 2:08.
“We weren’t in our zone too much. We had a tough time along the boards,” Caps forward Jason Chimera said. “But that happens against a good team like the Bruins.”
