Capitals Vs. Bruins, Game 4: Braden Holtby’s 44 Saves Help Washington Tie Series, 2-2

In Game 3, the Caps chose to play Boston’s style, using agitation and confrontation to get in their opponent’s heads. It ended up failing miserably, as the Bruins fed off Washington’s attempts en route to the win. It also cost the Caps’ arguably their top offensive player in Backstrom, thanks to a match penalty that the league did not rescind.

While Washington’s failed attempt to play agitator weren’t the only reason the Caps lost Game 3, it was a major factor in feeding the Bruins’ momentum. So the Caps realized they would need to play the physical game with a bit more intelligence in Game 4. It paid off in Washington’s tight-checking 2-1 victory, which evened the series at 2-2.

The Bruins controlled possession for all but a 10-or-so minute stretch in the second period, and the shot totals definitely reflected that. Boston outshot Washington 45-21 in the game, including a 14-3 tally in the first period and a 13-3 mark in the third.

Special teams were also big. The Capitals did a phenomenal job not taking penalties, especially considering how much time they spent pinned in their own zone with the Bruins on the attack. Boston only had one opportunity on the man advantage and they failed to convert -- a theme that continued from the first three games in the series.

Here’s the video:

Holtby had to make one more huge save at the final second -- just one of his 44 total in the game -- but had that puck found its way in the net, there would have been one hell of a controversy on the NHL’s hands.

That’s a goal without the phenomenal effort from No. 90, and if that’s a goal, the Bruins are in control of the game.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers’ Rink and SB Nation DC.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers’ Rink and SB Nation DC.

Every time somebody gets cut by a skate in the NHL -- and it happens in a minor way maybe once a year, if I had to guess -- we always think of two things:

a) Clint Malarchuk

The Capitals’ three-shot total was actually inflated by a late-period power play, so there’s no doubt that they’re going to need to control possession a whole lot more if they want to have a chance to take the lead in the game and ultimately the series in periods two and three.

Stick with SBNation.com for full Capitals vs. Bruins series coverage. For more on the Bruins, visit Stanley Cup of Chowder and SB Nation Boston. For updates on the Capitals, check out Japers’ Rink and SB Nation DC.

Bruins head coach Claude Julien understands what Hunter is doing, but vehemently denies that his team is engaging in that behavior.

No. 2 Boston Bruins at No. 7 Washington Capitals

7:30 p.m. ET Thursday-- Game 4, Eastern Quarterfinals | Bruins lead, 2-1

National TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC, RDS | Local TV: NESN, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic