The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs got off to an exciting start with Saturday night's Game 1 between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins at Capital One Arena.
As is tradition with the Bruins and Capitals, the game was decided by a single goal. Overtime was required after both teams scored twice in regulation, and that's where Washington earned a 3-2 victory. Capitals forward Nic Dowd tipped a shot past Boston goalie Tuukka Rask nearly five minutes into the extra period.
It's the 10th consecutive playoff game between these teams settled by one goal.
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Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask made 29 saves on 32 shots. Two of the goals Rask gave up came off deflections. Craig Anderson replaced starter Vitek Vanecek after he suffered an apparent injury in the first period. Anderson tallied 21 saves on 22 shots in his first playoff action since Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final with the Senators.
Here's a recap of the series opener.
FINAL SCORE: Capitals 3, Bruins 2 (OT)
Boston Bruins
SERIES: 1-0 Capitals
HIGHLIGHTS
Alexander Ovechkin laid a huge hit on David Krejci just a few minutes into the first period.
Charlie McAvoy's stick broke at the blue line, sparking a Capitals rush up ice that ended in Tom Wilson opening the scoring at 6:22 of the first period.
The Bruins equalized at 13:10 of the first period when Jake DeBrusk scored off a faceoff win.
Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek left the game after DeBrusk's goal with an apparent injury. He was replaced by Craig Anderson.
The Capitals regained the lead at 8:44 of the first period when Brenden Dillon's shot from the point appeared to take a deflection in front of the Bruins net. Dillon was credited with the goal after it was originally given to Ovechkin.
The Bruins again equalized at 16:38 of the second period on the power play. Nick Ritchie was credited with the tally as the puck barely crossed the goal line.
The Capitals won the game at 4:41 of the overtime period when Nic Dowd tipped a T.J. Oshie shot past Rask.
UP NEXT
Game 2 in Washington is scheduled for Monday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.