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Bruins look to avenge embarrassing loss vs. Capitals

Mar 8, 2008 - 11:47 AM Washington (32-28-8) at Boston (35-25-7) 1:00 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- When the Boston Bruins lose these days, they do it in spectacular fashion. On Saturday, they have the chance to avenge their most embarrassing setback of the season.

Five days after getting pounded by Washington, the Bruins have a chance to get even as they host the Capitals at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has lost three straight this week, including a 10-2 drubbing at Washington on Monday. It dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday before again getting pounded by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 8-2, on Thursday.

The losses have helped drop the Bruins into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers (34-26-8) and four in front of the Buffalo Sabres (32-27-9).

Boston has struggled both offensively and defensively, with All-Star goaltender Tim Thomas allowing 12 goals on his last 47 shots faced. The Bruins also have combined to score just four goals against three of the weakest defensive teams in the East.

Superstar Alex Ovechkin notched his third hat trick of the season, with all three goals coming in a six-goal first period, and added two assists to lead Washington in Monday's rout. Rookie Nicklas Backstrom scored a goal and set up three others and Brooks Laich tallied twice for the Capitals.

"I think everything went wrong today," Bruins left wing Marco Sturm said after the drubbing. "It started with a bad start. We've got to forget about this one."

With his first tally of the night at 6:18 of the first period, Ovechkin became the first player to reach the 50-goal mark this season.

The All-Star Russian followed that with a two-goal effort in the Capitals' 3-1 win over the Sabres on Wednesday. He leads the NHL with 54 tallies.

Washington currently is four points behind Philadelphia in the East and five back of the Carolina Hurricanes (36-29-5) for first place in the Southeast Division.