ARLINGTON, Va. - Following Sunday morning’s optional practice, the topic of conversation between Capitals players and the media on the eve of Monday night’s Game 3 against the Bruins was overwhelmingly focused on defense.

And why not? There have been four goals scored in 144-plus minutes of hockey in the series, which is tied at 1-1. Tim Thomas of the Bruins and rookie Braden Holtby of the Capitals have been exceptional in goal. The teams have combined for 146 hits and the Capitals have blocked 49 shots.

“I think we may have frustrated them a little bit,’’ said Capitals center Matt Hendricks. “I think [the Bruins] look at their team as a little bit more offensive, so to keep them to one goal in each game is good for us. We need to keep that going.’’

It’s no secret that since Washington coach Dale Hunter took over for Bruce Boudreau 22 games into the season, his mission has been to craft the Capitals into a defense-first team - a move that was met with much consternation among a fan base accustomed to watching one of the higher-powered offenses in the league for three of the last four seasons.

While the Capitals won four consecutive Southeast Division titles under Boudreau on the strength of a relentless offense, they consistently failed to perform in the playoffs.

And although Washington is merely two games into its first-round series against the second-seeded Bruins, the feeling in the locker room is that as long as the defense remains strong, they can knock off the defending Stanley Cup champions.

“The guys in this room have bought in for the last month or so of the regular season and so far in the playoffs,’’ Hendricks said. “It’s been going really well for us.’’