Boston @ Washington Game 4

On Monday in Game 3, Boston won 4-3 to take the lead in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Boston lead 2 games to 1. 

1st Period

Washington got the game underway in Game 4. Washington's Marcus Johansson scored the first goal of the game. Johansson scored his 1st goal of the playoffs and the assist went to Brooks Laich (3). Boston's Shawn Thornton and Washington's John Erskine exchanged a few shoves in front of the Washington's goal. Boston's Tyler Seguin with the Bruins best chance of the game, but Washington's Braden Holtby managed to get his right pad. In the last two shifts both Boston's Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci both tested Holtby. Thornton won the draw passed it to Boston's Johnny Boychuk, Boychuk with a shot but Thornton managed to get a tip on the puck but it was saved by Holtby. 

Nice shift by Boston's Rich Peverley but Boston could not muster a shot after a lengthy possession in the Washington 's Zone. Boston's Tim Thomas with a kick save, gave the puck to Boston's Gregory Campbell, who then gave the puck to Peverley. Peverley with a shot and he put the puck the into the Washington's net to tie the game 1-1. Peverley with his second goal of the playoffs. Campbell (2) with the assist. With 17:22 gone in the 1st Peverley went to the box for a slashing call. Peverley got a 2 minute minor. Washington are 1-9 on the Power Play. It was a important Penalty Kill for Boston, Thomas had a big save and to close out the period. The horn sounds to end the period with the score tied at 1-1. Boston with 14 shots on goal to Washington's 3. 

2nd Period (Middle Stanza)

Bergeron wins the faceoff to get the middle stanza underway. Thomas and Holtby both exchange reel saves to keep the score 1-1. It was a nice shift by Krejci but unfortunately Holtby saw all of them. Washington's Alexander Semin with Washington's sixth shot from the red line. Thomas tracks it down and holds the puck for a faceoff. Laich hits the crossbar from a pass from Alexander Ovechkin. With 09:45 gone in the 2nd Boychuk went to the box for hooking Washington's Troy Brouwer. Boychuk went for a 2 minute minor. During the PP Washington's Dennis Wideman hits the crossbar, and even Ovechkin opened the backdoor  but he missed the shot. Boston are very lucky its still 1-1. Seguin with a rebound and Holtby managed to save with a point blank stop.  

Bergeron went to the box for a holding call. Bergeron went for a 2 minute minor. Semin with a wrister from the dot beats Thomas, over the glove to put Washington 2-1 up. Semin with his second goal of the playoffs. Ovechkin (3) and Keith Aucoin (1) with the assists. The horn sounds to end the period with the score 2-1 Washington. 

3rd period

Bergeron won the faceoff to start the last period of regulation. Boychuk with a nice block. Desperation is kicking in for Boston but Washington continues to carry on the momentum. Thomas manages to stop Aucoin    that would of being a goal. Boston needs to tilt the ice and quick. Boston's Brad Marchand with Boston 41st  shot on goal but Holtby stopped it and kept it. 

Washington's Mike knuble went to the box for a holding call. Knuble went to the box for a 2 minute minor. Boston are 0-11 on the PP in the first three games. Holtby punctuates Washington's PK with his 42nd save of the game. two minutes left in the game Boston took Thomas out to put on a extra attacker. Holtby with another save at the side of his goal. Boston took a timeout with 9.5 seconds left. The horn sounds to end the game. Washington wins the game 2-1.

Tonights 3 stars are: 1. Braden Holtby  2.  Rich Peverley  3. Tyler Seguin. 

On saturday with the series tied at 2-2 Game 5 will go back to Boston with a 3p start.