The Boston Bruins' season ended just 2:57 into overtime, as Joel Ward notched the game-winner for the Washington Capitals to advance to the second round of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Mike Knuble did most of the work on the goal, blocking the puck as the Bruins tried to clear in the neutral zone, creating an odd-man rush. Knuble fired the puck at Tim Thomas from point-black range, and Ward was just behind to clean up the rebound.
The Bruins had a perfect opportunity to win the game earlier in the overtime period, but Patrice Bergeron fanned the puck wide left on a wide open net.
The miss ultimately proved very costly. Thomas finished the game with 25 saves on 27 shots against. Holtby continued his solid play as a rookie in net, stopping 31 of 32 shots faced. The Bruins had three powerplay opportunities to one for the Capitals, but couldn't find the back of the net on any of their chances.
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