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The Capitals earned more than 100 points in the previous three seasons, leading the NHL with 121 in 2010, but had little to show for it once the postseason started. They won just two series in three years and have not made it out of the East semis since 1998, when they made it to the Stanley Cup finals but were swept by Detroit.
This year's regular season wasn't as successful, with coach Bruce Boudreau fired in November and replaced by Dale Hunter.
But the playoffs have a chance to be even better.
Waiting until the final games of the season to clinch a playoff berth and getting bumped up to a No. 7 seed on the final day, the Capitals won three times in Boston -- they also won Games 2 and 5. Their second-round opponent won't be determined until after Game 7s Thursday night between Ottawa and the New York Rangers, and Florida and New Jersey.
"I'm not going to watch the games," Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin said. "I'm just going to chill and control my moods and control emotions."
The Bruins needed an unprecedented three Game 7s to win the Cup last year, including the 4-0 victory over Vancouver that gave the Original Six franchise its first title since 1972. Thomas also had a shutout in the Game 7 win over Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference finals.
But that streak ended midway through the first period when Carlson shot from right point and Hendricks tipped it past Thomas' right shoulder to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.
The Bruins tied it with 5:33 left in the second when Holtby kicked Andrew Ference's shot wide to his left to Johnny Boychuk, whose shot trickled through the goalie's pads and into the crease. Seguin dove for it, with two defenders crashing on top of him, and swiped it into the net to make it 1-1.
NOTES: After Bruins F Rich Peverley took a two-handed shove from Holtby he turned around and swung his stick at the goalie before checking his swing and wisely deciding not to follow through.... Boychuk skated off late in the game favoring his right shoulder, but returned and drew a penalty on Jason Chimera with 2:26 left in regulation. ... Thomas had shutouts in each of his previous two Game 7 appearances. ... All 18 of Washington's playoff wins in the last four years have been by a rookie goalie.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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