Bradley’s Late Tally Propels Capitals to Victory

By: Justin Creech
Washington, DC—Washington Capitals forward Matt Bradley doesn’t score often, but when he does it’s usually at the most opportune moment.
In a game his team needed to break their recent bad fortune, the rugged fourth line center who had made his name in the league as a guy that will do whatever it takes to help his team snuck behind a future hall of famer and scored a timely goal to propel the Capitals to a 2-1 win over the visiting Atlanta Thrashers at Verizon Center and put a stop to their 3 game losing streak.
The, Washington’s 50th of the season, tied the franchise record for wins in a season set by the 1985-86 squad and last year’s team. It is also the first time in team history the Capitals have recorded back-to-back 50 win seasons.
The loss was damaging for the Thrashers who failed to gain any ground on the Boston Bruins for the Eastern Conferences’ eighth and final playoff spot. The Bruin fell at home to Florida Panthers, 1-0, but stayed two points ahead of the Thrashers.
“It started with two great chips, one from [David Steckel] and one chipped by [Jason Chimera] in their end,” said Bradley. “I don’t think Chelios saw me. I kind of cut in front of him and stole the puck and just took it to the net. So, I just poked it to the net and it was a lucky goal.”
The goal was Bradley’s ninth of the season and first in 25 games matched his career high for goals (9) and points (22) in a season, tying his goals and point production from 2001-2002 when he was a member of the San Jose Sharks.
Last night was also a milestone night for center Nicklas Backstrom, who’s first period tally put him at the 30 goal plateau for the first time in his career. Backstrom moved to the top of the crease, and with a quick flick of his stick deflected Mike Green’s point shot passed Pavelec at 19:02 for a 1-0 lead.
Backstrom’s goal also gave the Capitals their third 30 goal scorer of the season, the most of any team in the NHL. Backstrom trails line mate Alex Ovechkin (46) and Alexander Semin (38).
After Chimera chipped the puck into the near corner, Bradley snuck behind an unsuspecting Chelios, scooped up the puck and headed towards the net. With Steckel cutting through the slot, Bradley put a soft backhander on Thrashers netminder Ondrej Pavelec. The puck managed to trickle through Pavelecs’ pads and across the goaline at 9:46 of the third.
“I actually was going to pass to Steck[el], but they had one defenseman out there and he kind of shaded towards Steck[el],” said Bradley “So, I just figured I’ll just take it to the net instead of trying to force a pass.”
The win was much needed after three performances that didn’t even come close to how well the Capitals can play.
Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau likened the game to a playoff game, saying it was the kind of game that challenged his team mentally.
“It was tense and there weren’t a lot of shots, but those are the hardest games to play because you have got to stay focused,” said Boudreau. “Some guys might not get on the ice for eight to ten minutes, so it’s a difficult thing.”
After sluggish first periods in their last three games that saw the Capitals get outscored 9-1 and manage a combined eight shots in the last two first periods, the Capitals came out much more focused against the Thrashers.
Though they managed just seven shots, and at times looked like they were lacking energy, the Capitals were able to get on the scoreboard on the deflection by Backstrom, and limited the Thrashers to just 6 shots after allowing the Flames and Senators a combined 25.
“We came out with a lead in the first period,” said forward Mike Knuble. “It was a mental thing. It’s not like worrying about what’s wrong with our game or anything. We just have to be mentally ready to start the game. Other teams in this league can burn you in the first. You have to be ready.”
Atlanta’s Tim Stapleton did manage to tie the game at 17:51 of the second on a nice wrist shot that beat Capitals netminder Semyon Varlamov high to the glove side. Stapleton took a nice pass from Colby Armstrong in the slot and beat Varlamov, who barely got his glove up.
The Capitals persevered, though, and picked up a much needed win with the playoffs just two weeks away.
“That was playoff style game,” said Bradley. “I thought in the third period we really came out and played the way we can. So, that was a good step forward on the way to the playoffs.”