WASHINGTON – The Bruins are not practicing Tuesday. They are enjoying a rest day after claiming a 2-1 series lead with Monday night’s 4-3 win.

Claude Julien has yet to complete reviewing the tape from Game 3, but from what he’s seen, he liked the competitive spirit the Bruins showed at an increasing rate throughout the night.

“I thought as the game went on, we got better and more comfortable,” Julien said. “From the first period to the second period to the third period, we got better as a team. On the forecheck, we were putting pucks in the right places. Our skating got better, too.”

The Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom received a one-game suspension for his match penalty at the end of the game. Backstrom high-sticked Rich Peverley in the face. Backstrom faced a disciplinary hearing Tuesday before receiving the suspension.

“If you’re going to do those kinds of things, drop the gloves. Man up,” Andrew Ference said. “But we know with certain players, that’s not going to happen."

* Dennis Seidenberg has proven to be the Bruins’ best player through three games. He assisted on Zdeno Chara’s winning goal. Although Alex Ovechkin scored in Game 3, Seidenberg has helped to limit the superstar’s chances.

* In Game 3, the Bruins were the most emotionally engaged they've been so far. They will have to walk the balance of playing with an edge, but not taking undisciplined penalties.

* The Bruins were able to take advantage of Washington’s defensive overload on the strong side. On the goals by Chara and Daniel Paille, the Bruins completed passes up to the weak-side point man. In both cases, Patrice Bergeron and Greg Zanon had lots of time and space. Expect Washington to make this adjustment in Game 4.

@GlobeFluto