In Washington, DC Wednesday night, the Washington Capitals hung their Stanley Cup banner from last season in a raucous atmosphere.
“It was amazing. All the fans saw the Cup on the ice. It’s a historic moment for us. Nice to be part of it, nice to be in this organization. Tonight, we have so many emotions and you could see it in how we played,” Alex Ovechkin said after the game.
The Caps rode that frenzy in a 7-0 win over the Boston Bruins in the season opener for both clubs.
Braden Holtby made 25 saves to get the shutout, the 33rd of his career.
TJ Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov (two goals on the night) each scored in the first 1:47 of the game to make it 2-0 Caps and the Bruins were never a factor in the game after that.
“I think our lack of competitive spirit,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “It’s opening night. Guys should be a little hungrier. We got ourselves behind the eight ball and clearly weren’t ready to go and it just carried on from there.”
Ovechkinn scored to make it 3-0 early in the second period; Nic Dowd and Kuznetsov added markers to make it 5-0.
“It’s one game. It’s nothing. We’ll let it go and worry about [Thursday against Buffalo Sabres,.” — the Bruins Brad Marchand said after the loss.
John Carlson and Lars Ellerclosed out the scoring.
[WATCH: All Bruins vs. Capitals highlights]
Tuukka Rask got the start for the Bruins but was pulled after allowing five goals on 19 shots through the early stages of the middle frame.
“I don’t want to even talk about the whole [team] performance,” Rask said. “Look at myself. I’m out there to give us a chance and it didn’t happen today. Give up three soft goals, you look in the mirror and go fix it.”
Jaroslav Halak,relieved Rask and surrendered two goals on 18 shots.
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