The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals renew hostilities in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final on Thursday night with the Bruins looking to take a stranglehold on the series. <\/p>\n
Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals<\/strong> Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n It appeared as though Game 3 could have been a turning point in the series \u2013 the Bruins were able to drag the Caps into the ugly brand of hockey that suits their brutish style to a tee.<\/p>\n Boston has been getting it done so far in the series with their stars largely absent. David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand have been held off the score sheet so far paving the way for role players like Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston to lead the way offensively. It has taken some time in this series but the Bruins look like they have broken through what had been a stout Washington defense.<\/p>\n To the Bruins credit, they have diminished the luster that Brayden Holtby had provided in the first couple of games.<\/p>\n Tim Thomas clearly wasn\u2019t himself in Game 3 and the Bruins still won the game \u2013 a very good sign for Boston. There is no way that Thomas has two average efforts in a row \u2013 he is too good to look just OK. He is 2-1 in the series with a 1.47 goals against average and .943 save percentage.<\/p>\n The Washington Capitals emulated the positive side of the personality of their coach Dale Hunter in the first two games playing good defense and showing immense attention to detail. But then they channeled the bad side of their coach when they lost their cool and became chippy and undisciplined. [ad-4437448]<\/p>\n Their reward?<\/p>\n A suspension to one of their top players Nicklas Backstrom.<\/p>\n The Washington Capitals should be used to playing without Backstrom \u2013 they were forced to play without him for 40 games this season. That\u2019s the good, now for the bad! Washington was an absolute mess without Backstrom.<\/p>\n It is a good thing that Alexander Ovechkin has caught fire recording three points in two games and that Brooks Laich (three points in two games) has stepped up in a big way offensively.<\/p>\n Could it be that the Brayden Holtby honeymoon is over? He stopped 72 of 74 shots in Games 1 and 2 but only managed 25 saves on 29 shots in Game 3. The Caps will need Holtby to bounce back or Boston will absolutely take control of the series.<\/p>\n Betting Prediction<\/strong>: It took a while for the Bruins to get going but now that they have, it is going to be difficult to slow them down.<\/p>\n The Caps will miss Backstom in a big way on Thursday and Tim Thomas will return to his elite form on the way to another impressive Boston win.<\/p>\n
\n When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, April 19, 2012<\/strong>
\n Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District Of Columbia<\/strong>
\n Broadcast: CBC, NBCSN, RDS, NESN (HD), CSN-MA (HD)<\/strong>
\nBruins lead series 2-1<\/strong>
\nBruins vs. Capitals Betting Lines from betonline.com<\/strong>
\nSpread: Bruins -1 \u00bd (+230)<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: Bruins -126: Capitals +114<\/strong>
\n Over\/Under: 5 goals<\/strong><\/p>\n