Preview: Bruins welcome the Capitals to town

Just the facts

When: 7 PM

Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Rival SBN site: Japers’ Rink

The opponent

19-12-1, 39 points - 2nd in the Metropolitan Division

Evgeny Kuznetsov, 10G-24A-34PTS; Alexander Ovechkin, 21G-12A-33PTS; Nicklas Backstrom, 5G-20A-25PTS

Game notes

• For whatever reason, the Bruins always seem to bring their B- or C-game against Washington. Part of it is that the Caps have been good lately, sure. But the Bruins just don’t seem to match up well against them. In fact, the Bruins have apparently lost 10 consecutive regular season games to the Caps (that doesn’t seem right, but that’s what this site says).
• Part of that reason: Braden Holtby. The Bruins can’t seem to solve the big netminder. In his career against the Bruins, Holtby is 12-2-0 with a .944 save percentage, 1.81 GAA and three shutouts. YIKES.
• The Caps have been good lately too. They’ve won five of six games in December, scoring 4+ goals in each of the five wins.
• Expect Anton Khudobin between the pipes tonight.

Never forget

BENOIT POULIOT FOREVER!!!!!