Charlie McAvoy, a 23-year-old defenseman, learned plenty from playing with Zdeno Chara and has blossomed into the leader of Boston’s defense.

Craig Smith takes advantage of a mistake by the Capitals, and Boston wins in double overtime, 3-2.

Taylor Hall came to Boston from last-place Buffalo at the trade deadline and has blossomed. His tying goal in Game 2 against the Capitals was pretty important, too.

A second straight playoff game goes to overtime, but the Bruins get a 4-3 win to tie the series, 1-1, overcoming two Washington goals by Kennebunkport native Garnet Hathaway.

Boston was held to 26 shots in Game 1 against the Capitals and failed to take advantage of an injury to Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek.

Nic Dowd scores on a deflection to give Washington a 1-0 lead in the East Division semifinals.

Boston, which opens the playoffs on Saturday at Washington, may be better equipped to play in a tough series than it was last year.

Zdeno Chara, Boston’s captain for 14 seasons, has been a success in so many ways after signing with Washington. Now he’s a playoff opponent of the Bruins.

Former UMaine goalie Jeremy Swayman will back up Tuukka Rask in the playoffs, leaving veteran Jaroslav Halak out of the mix.

Michael Raffl scores the winning goal with 1.8 seconds left for the Caps, who meet the Bruins in the playoffs starting Saturday.