Caps Again Can't Solve Bruins' Thomas

Bruins 2, Capitals 0

BOSTON, Jan. 3 -- The Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins had gone to overtime in each of their previous five meetings. But on Thursday night, Boston goaltender Tim Thomas made sure the extra period wasn't necessary.

Thomas, who has dominated the Capitals through the years, tormented them once again, turning aside 31 shots to earn his first shutout of the season, 2-0, at TD Banknorth Garden.

With the victory, Thomas improved to 8-0-1 against Washington -- his best record against any NHL team. He also snapped the injury-depleted Capitals' winning streak at two and halted their run of five straight games in which they had gained a point.

"He's good," Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau said of Thomas. "Some guys just love playing against certain teams. They get that feeling that they are unbeatable against that team. Evidently, Tim Thomas likes playing against the Capitals."

Thomas handed Washington its first shutout loss since a 5-0 defeat at Carolina on Nov. 5. Yet even with Thomas getting a glove, pad or blocker in front of everything directed toward the Bruins' net, the visitors managed to hang around late into the third period, despite playing without winger Alexander Semin and defenseman Tom Poti, who were injured on Tuesday, and the entire third period minus defenseman Brian Pothier, who suffered an upper-body injury in the second.

Boston changed that, however, midway through the final frame. First, Thomas frustrated 30-goal scorer Alex Ovechkin, who misfired from point-blank range and fanned on the rebound. Then, Capitals defenseman Mike Green was assessed a double minor for high-sticking while the Washington bench simultaneously was whistled for too many men on the ice.

The Bruins wasted little time taking advantage of the two-man advantage. Boston captain Zedno Chara drilled a slap shot from the top of the circle past Olie Kolzig, who had been knocked down by defenseman Jeff Schultz, to put Boston ahead 2-0.

Chara, with help from teammate P.J. Axelsson, also did a solid job of shutting down Ovechkin, who has gone two games without a goal for the first time Nov. 5-6.

"We hit three or four posts," Ovechkin said, shrugging. "Some luck. Good for [Thomas]."

Center Michael Nylander added: "We had to win this game. We had lots of chances to score goals, but we didn't put the puck in. Thomas played extremely well. He made big saves at key times. But we still have to put the puck in the net."

The first 30 minutes of Thursday's contest was a goaltender duel between Kolzig and Thomas. Kolzig and the Capitals, though, blinked first.

Boston center Marc Savard burst out of the penalty pox and outskated Green to the puck deep in Washington's zone. Savard then finished the play with a shot from the slot that eluded Kolzig and put Boston ahead 1-0 at 13 minutes 35 seconds of the second period.