Washington Capitals at Boston Bruins Quarters Game 1: Fan Playoff Preview

Despite a number of struggles late in the season, the Boston Bruins still were able to dominate enough in the Eastern Conference to earn the No. 2 seed.

In the net for the Bruins will be seasoned veteran Tim Thomas who knows that playoff hockey is far different than the regular season. On the other side, Braden Holtby will be making his playoff debut for the Washington Capitals.

While the Bruins hold the No. 2 spot, they did struggle a bit this season against Washington going 1-2-1. Luckily, Holtby was not a part of any of these games. Regular Capitals' goaltender Tomas Vokoun is down with a groin injury while backup Michal Neuvirth is nursing a left leg injury, giving Holtby the start.

The Bruins have the luxury of home-ice advantage in the series as well as extensive playoff experience. All they really need to do is focus on one game at a time and the series should go their way.

The matchup:

The Boston Bruins will take on the Washington Capitals at the TD Garden located in Boston, Mass. on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

The standings:

Boston comes into Game 1 of the first round finishing the season with a 49-29-4 record. They were 24-14-3 their home ice during the regular season.

Washington enters Game 1 of the first round finishing the season with a 42-32-8 record. They were 16-21-4 on the road during the regular season.

The playoff series:

The playoff series is currently tied at 0-0.

Where to watch:

The game can be watched live nationwide on NBCS or CBC.

The season statistic leaders:

Boston: Tuukka Rask- 2.05 GAA, Tyler Seguin- 29 goals, Patrice Bergeron- 42 assists, Tyler Seguin- 67 points.

Washington: Thomas Vokoun- 2.51 GAA, Alex Ovechkin- 38 goals, Dennis Wideman- 35 assists, Alex Ovechkin- 65 points.

Injuries to note:

Boston: Johnny Boychuk (knee sprain), Adam McQuaid (undisclosed), Tuukka Rask (abdominal/groin), Nathan Horton (concussion), Marc Savard (concussion).

Washington: Tomas Vokoun (groin), Michal Neuvirth (lower body), Tom Poti (groin).

More Boston Bruins Commentary from Paul Rados:

Fan Preview: Can the Boston Bruins end the season with a win against Buffalo?

Fan Preview: Can the Boston Bruins shut down Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins?

Fan Preview: Can the Boston Bruins shut down the New York Rangers?

Fan Preview: Will the Boston Bruins clinch a playoff spot against the Islanders? Boston Bruins hope to build momentum against Capitals: Fan Preview

Sources:

All stats provided by NHL.com

Paul Rados is an avid Boston Bruins fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook.

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