Everything you need to know from the Bruins' 2-1 loss to the Capitals, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Bruins can't complete comeback against Caps: Despite being well-rested, the Bruins came out slow and never recovered in their 2-1 loss to the Capitals on Saturday at TD Garden.
With a 10-day break on the schedule because of All-Star Game last Saturday, the B's took a couple periods to find their jump against the Caps, but time wasn't on their side once Nick Foligno scored late in the second period.
The Bruins were down 2-0 by that point and played better in the third period, however Washington held strong to hand the B's their fourth loss in the past five games.
Nicklas Backstrom scored first for the Caps at 6:28 of the opening frame. The Bruins took three penalties in 28 seconds to give Washington a 5-on-3 power play in which Backstrom needed just 40 seconds before potting his second of the season.
The sequence signified a sloppy period for the B's, who finished with just seven shots.
The Capitals doubled their lead in the middle of the second on a goal from Garnet Hathaway. The Bruins failed to clear the defensive zone and Hathaway walked right in from the slot and clipped the top corner to make it, 2-0, Washington.
Foligno cut the B's deficit to one with his eighth of the season, following a strong pinch from Connor Clifton, about five minutes after Hathaway's goal.
The Bruins got life after Foligno's strike and finished the frame down 2-1.
There was a noticeable uptick from the hosts in the final frame with a few high-end chances, but timely saves from Capitals keeper Darcy Kuemper kept the B's from clawing back.
Jeremy Swayman made 21 saves in his first start since Jan. 28 against the Panthers.
The Bruins power play remained cold going 0-for-4, albeit half of their opportunites were less than 30 seconds long. They are now 0-for-17 in their past five games.
THUMBS UP
Although he didn't contribute on the scoresheet in this one, it wasn't for a lack of trying as Charlie McAvoy was all over the place.
McAvoy had a couple of really impressive feeds that his teammates couldn't convert. The best of the two came during the third period with a one-touch pass to Charlie Coyle right in front of the net, but Coyle opted for another pass, which proved to be one-too-many.
THUMBS DOWN
Hampus Lindholm took a pair of uncharacteristic penalties in this one. In the first period, Lindholm shot a dropped stick toward the puck, which was called interference. Then in the third, Lindholm tagged a Capitals forward with a punch in the mouth after a shot from outside.
Luckily for the Bruins, just the first Lindholm penalty led to a Washington goal. Apparently, Lindholm was still in vacation mode during this one.
AROUND THE ATLANTIC
The Lightning played an even earlier matinee than the Bruins and edged out the Stars, 3-1. Anthony Cirelli scored twice, including the game-winner with 44 seconds left in regulation.
Tampa Bay seems to have gotten back on track after losing its first games back from the All-Star break, as its won two in a row since.
The Lightning trail the Maple Leafs by two points for the second spot in the Atlantic division.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Bruins will have two days to reset before they take on the Stars on Tuesday in Dallas. The Bruins beat the Stars, 3-1, on Oct. 25, in their only other meeting of the season. Jason Robertson has emerged as one of the best forwards in the league this season with 69 points in 54 games.