The Boston Bruins dropped a tight preseason decision to the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, falling 4-3 in what turned into a gritty battle at Capital One Arena. Coming off a frustrating shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week, the Bruins were hungry for a win to build momentum. Instead, they watched as Alex Ovechkin, back from a nagging lower-body injury, notched his 892nd career goal—now just two shy of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record of 894. Indeed, Ovechkin's return added real intrigue to the matchup, with the Capitals captain wasting little time reminding everyone why he's still the league's most dangerous sniper.
Boston's roster tweaks were on full display, as coach Jim Montgomery tested new line combinations featuring Alex Steeves in his fourth exhibition outing. The Bruins showed flashes of their top-end speed, with Morgan Geekie and Patrick Brown each lighting the lamp early, but defensive lapses allowed Washington to claw back. Martin Fehérváry made his debut for the Capitals on the blue line, stabilizing things just enough to help secure the victory. However, the game felt more like a checkpoint than a statement—both sides rotating depth players and experimenting ahead of opening night.
Moreover, this clash echoed the intensity of their April 1 regular-season tilt, when Ovechkin tallied No. 891 in a Capitals win that snapped Boston's nine-game skid. That night highlighted Washington's resilience, but Thursday's preseason affair underscored ongoing questions for the Bruins: can their bottom-six forwards step up, and will the penalty kill hold under pressure? The Capitals, meanwhile, looked sharper with Ovechkin skating, though their blue line still needs polishing.
Indeed, as the exhibition schedule wraps, these results offer clues but no certainties. With the 2025-26 season looming, both teams head into final cuts wondering if these tweaks will translate to October success—or if deeper adjustments await.