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Semin's goal lifts Capitals over Bruins

Jan 18, 2009 - 4:54 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Alexander Semin helped the Washington Capitals slow down the Boston Bruins.

Semin scored his 18th goal of the season midway through the third period to snap a tie and lift the Capitals to a 2-1 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins on Saturday.

Defenseman Mike Green added a power-play goal and Jose Theodore made 23 saves for the Capitals, who have won back-to-back games following a three-game losing streak.

Semin emerged with the puck after Boston turned it over in Washington's zone. The Russian right wing streaked down the right side, splitting two defenders before winding up and slapping a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle over All-Star goaltender Tim Thomas' shoulder with 8:12 remaining in the contest.

"I didn't know Semin was just going to come down and shoot it," Thomas said. "I was also keeping an eye on their guy (Tomas Fleischmann) who was coming in late, in case he pulled up and gave it to him. It was Guy Lafleur-ish. There's not that many times when a guy has that much time to wind up for a slap shot like that."

"That was the right decision to make," Bruins coach Claude Julien said of Semin's fourth game-winning goal of the season. "It was an unbelievable shot."

Semin has recorded points in 11 of his last 12 games.

"Wish he'd shoot more," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I mean, he's got that kind of shot. He's got that kind of individual talent - you can see it all the time. He went in there, and even with Tim Thomas as good as he was, I don't think he expected a shot to come at him that quick. When it's just a normal shot and you're going down the wing, you don't expect it to go in against him, quite frankly."

With the triumph, the Capitals ended the Bruins' seven-game road winning streak and four-game overall run. Boston's last loss away from home also came in Washington on December 10.

"They're a good team, especially at home," Thomas said. "We didn't play too bad of a road game. We didn't get the win tonight, but I don't think it was from a lack of effort."

Marc Savard's one-timer from the right circle during a power play sailed past Theodore at 1:49 of the second period, giving Boston a 1-0 lead. It was Savard's 16th goal of the season.

"I lost (sight of the puck) after the second pass," Theodore said. "By the time I reacted, it was in the net. I didn't find it, it found me."

Just 17 seconds after Bruins defenseman Matt Lashoff was called for holding, Green responded with a man-advantage tally at 2:59 to forge a 1-1 tie with his 12th goal of the season. He has recorded points in his last four games, tying his season-high point streak.

"He gets a little excited sometimes and starts to play rover more than defense," Boudreau said of Green. "But he certainly knows how to get to the net and put the puck in the net when he gets the opportunity. That's why I think he's one of the best, if not the best, offensive defensemen in the game today."

Thomas made 28 saves for the Bruins, who have been without leading goal-scorer Phil Kessel since Monday because of mononucleosis.

"Right now, we're missing a little bit of firepower," Julien said. "We're not as big of a threat as we have been offensively with all of these injuries. We just gotta keep grinding it out and hope that we win more games than we lose and get our players back. I suspect we'll be in much better shape after the All-Star break."