CAPITALS at BRUINS

(Washington leads series, 3-2)

TV: NBC, CBC, RDS

Big Story: The defending Stanley Cup champions are on the brink of elimination after Saturday's stunning loss at TD Garden.

Team Scope:

Capitals: Troy Brouwer scored one of the biggest goals of his life Saturday, as the rugged forward broke a 3-3 tie with 1:27 remaining in regulation to lift Washington to a 4-3 victory at Boston's TD Garden. Not only did it give the Caps a victory, but it moved them within a win of advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Some relief, that's for sure," Brouwer said, as Washington blew two leads before ultimately winning Game 5. "A lot of joy. Especially late in the game like that, we were getting buzzed a little bit, and I think they had a little bit of momentum off the power-play goal. So for us, to get a power play late, create a little bit of offense, ultimately get a goal, it's good."

Bruins: Ten months after winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the League's Most Valuable Player in the playoffs, Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is on the verge of going home early. Brouwer's shot off the right wing appeared to be stoppable, but it managed to sneak past Thomas in a potentially-devastating loss.

"The third goal I wish I could have controlled the rebound better, and then the last goal he fooled me and beat me clean," Thomas said. "He's coming down with a lot of speed and he shot and I read that the shot was going lower. And by the time I even realized that the shot was going that high, I didn't even have time to raise my hand."

Who's Hot: Caps winger Alexander Semin has three goals in the first five games of the series, while Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin each have four points. Braden Holtby, meanwhile has a 1.86 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. … Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg had a goal and an assist Saturday and has three points in the last two games.

Injury Report: Caps goalie Tomas Vokoun (groin) is still not ready. … Boston's injured goaltender, Tuukka Rask, is close to returning to backup duty. Defenseman Adam McQuaid still hasn't resumed skating, so he isn't expected back in the near future.

Stat Pack: On Saturday, Washington became the first team to open a two-goal lead in this series. … Seidenberg's goal Saturday was Boston's first in 84 minutes and nine seconds.

Puck Drop: "It is what it is. We've got to be prepared for [Sunday] no matter what time the game's at. If it's at 7, 3, at 12 – it doesn't matter. Even though it's at 3, we just played right now, but we got to put it behind us, and focus in on this next game because it's do-or-die right now." -- Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk