When you add in the Bruins' strong 16-5-0 home ice record, Boston's five-game winning streak and its red hot power play unit, the Caps' ongoing dominance over the Bruins stretching back over the last few seasons and the 7-0 smackdown the Caps laid on them in the season opener, this had the makings of a playoff-style skirmish.
And that's pretty much how it played out.
The Bruins came at the Caps with their best effort, and Washington expected nothing less. But the Caps and Braden Holtby were also ready for it, and they prevailed once again, coming home with two points in a 4-2 win over the B's.
Both sides ramped up the physical play and the Caps certainly spent more time in their end than they would have liked. The Boston power play did dent the Caps for a goal on five opportunities, but Washington won the game on the strength of Holtby's stellar netminding and the Caps' ability to score three five-on-five goals against the league's stingiest five-on-five defense.
"I think we played a pretty good game," said Bruins goalie Jaroslav Halak. "We controlled most of the game, and they have some players that can score goals and unfortunately I didn't make a save on the third goal. That's the bottom line. I got outplayed by their goalie, and they got a win, so we just need to be better."
The win was Washington's 14th straight against the Bruins, a streak that stretches back nearly five years.
"It's a good rivalry," says Caps coach Todd Reirden. "They play hard and compete and battle. It's a difficult building to come into, especially this year again with them being 16-5 at home. So, we prepared our team for a battle.
"Again, credit to our team for hanging in there for 60 minutes and doing a lot of really good things and coming out here with a win. Obviously, if we were to talk about one player that's had a significant role we'd talk about Holtby, and the impact he has against this team definitely has been a difference maker."