In a matchup that felt more like a statement than a mere exhibition, the Boston Bruins dropped a 4-3 decision to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night at Capital One Arena. The game, part of the NHL preseason slate, kicked off at 7 p.m. ET and quickly turned into a test of early-season resolve for both sides. Boston, still smarting from a shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week, came out aggressive, but Washington's depth proved too much in the end.
Ovechkin, making his anticipated return from a lower-body tweak, wasted no time reminding everyone why he's chasing records. The Capitals' captain notched his 891st career goal—just four shy of Gretzky's mark—in what turned into a gritty performance. His presence stabilized Washington's blue line, especially with Martin Fehérváry debuting alongside him. Indeed, the Caps controlled the slot better than expected, forcing Bruins goalie to scramble through stretches of sustained pressure. Boston's response? A flurry of chances, including a goal from Morgan Geekie, but their bottom-six clarity faltered, exposing some lineup questions heading into the regular season.
However, the Bruins' roster tweaks showed promise. Alex Steeves logged solid minutes in his fourth preseason outing, hinting at potential depth options. Yet, the loss underscores a nagging issue: Boston's power play, usually a strength, went 0-for-4, looking disjointed against Washington's physical forecheck. Moreover, injuries and camp holdovers lingered, with the team now facing final cuts before opening night. Washington, on the other hand, rode the momentum from Ovechkin's shot to a win that feels like a blueprint for October.
Indeed, these preseason tilts often reveal more than they resolve. For the Bruins, it's back to the drawing board on defensive matching; for the Caps, it's validation of their revamped core. As the regular season looms just days away, both teams will carry these lessons forward—what adjustments might tip the scales when the real games begin?