The Boston Bruins wrapped up their preseason slate with a narrow loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, falling 4-3 in a game that had all the makings of a tight regular-season affair. It was a frustrating finish for the Bruins, who entered the matchup hungry for a win after that heartbreaking shootout defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers just days earlier. Washington's Alex Ovechkin, back from a nagging lower-body injury, wasted no time reminding everyone why he's still the league's most dangerous sniper. He notched his 891st career goal—edging closer to that elusive Gretzky record—in what turned out to be a pivotal moment during the second period.
Indeed, the Capitals controlled much of the early action at Capital One Arena, with Ovechkin's tally coming off a slick feed from Dylan Strome that left Boston's defense scrambling. The Bruins responded gamely, though, as Morgan Geekie and Patrick Brown lit the lamp to tie things up heading into the third. However, Washington's depth shone through late, with Ryan Chesley and Hendrix Lapierre adding insurance goals that sealed the deal. Goaltending was a mixed bag for Boston; their netminders faced 32 shots but couldn't quite stem the tide.
Moreover, this game served as more than just a tune-up. For the Bruins, it highlighted ongoing questions at center ice and in the bottom six, areas that coach Jim Montgomery has been tinkering with relentlessly during camp. On the Caps' side, the return of Martin Fehérváry bolstered their blue line, adding stability that could prove crucial come October's real games. Ovechkin's presence alone shifts how opponents approach the slot—Boston felt that firsthand.
Looking ahead, both teams now pivot to final roster cuts and opening-night prep. The Bruins, sitting at 1-3 in preseason, will need to iron out those defensive lapses quickly if they hope to contend in the Atlantic. Yet, in the grand scheme, these exhibitions often reveal as much about resolve as results.