Capitals Snap Losing Streak With 4-3 Victory Over Bruins

BOSTON (AP) — In a thrilling matchup at TD Garden, the Washington Capitals halted their three-game losing streak with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on April 1, 2025. This win marked the Capitals' 48th of the regular season, showcasing their resilience as they aim for a strong finish in the Eastern Conference.

Leading the charge was none other than Alex Ovechkin, who scored his 891st career goal, bringing him just four goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record. Ovechkin, who has been on a scoring tear with 12 goals in his last 18 games, opened the scoring for Washington, pushing a cross-crease pass from Dylan Strome into an open net with about four minutes left in the first period.

After Nic Dowd netted a shorthanded goal earlier in the period, the Capitals found themselves ahead 2-0 at the first intermission, outshooting the Bruins 11-4. Dowd's goal, his 13th of the season, was assisted by Brandon Duhaime, who recorded his 11th assist.

The second period saw a shift in momentum as the Bruins responded with vigor. Vinni Lettieri got Boston on the board at 6:05, scoring his 12th goal of the season. Just as the Capitals looked to maintain control, David Pastrnak tied the game with a power-play goal at 17:12, redirecting a slap pass from Morgan Geekie into the net.

Heading into the third period tied at 2-2, the Capitals needed a spark, and they found it in Strome, who broke the tie at 10:37 with his 24th goal of the season. Strome's goal, assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary, was a crucial play that reinvigorated the Capitals' momentum.

Tom Wilson extended the Capitals' lead to 4-2 with his 32nd goal of the season at 14:46, with assists from Pierre-Luc Dubois and Ovechkin. However, the Bruins weren't done yet. Pastrnak scored again just a minute later, bringing his total to 37 for the season, making it a nail-biting 4-3 game.

Despite the pressure, Capitals' goaltender Charlie Lindgren stood tall, making 21 saves and achieving a .875 save percentage. The Capitals outshot the Bruins 32-24 overall, showing their offensive prowess while also holding their ground defensively.

Both teams had their fair share of penalties, with the Capitals going 1 for 2 on the power play and the Bruins converting 1 of 3 chances. The physicality of the game was evident as the Bruins outhit the Capitals 20-17, while Washington managed to block 15 shots compared to Boston's 13.

As the game concluded, the Capitals celebrated a much-needed victory, while the Bruins faced their ninth consecutive loss, leaving them struggling to find their footing this season.

Looking ahead, the Capitals are gearing up for a challenging matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. This game will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of playoff positioning. Fans can catch all the action on Monumental Sports Network, TNT, truTV, and MAX.

In a notable moment, Ryan Leonard, a top NCAA player and Hobey Baker Award finalist, made his NHL debut, adding excitement to the Capitals' lineup. Leonard had previously enjoyed back-to-back 30-goal seasons at Boston College before his team was eliminated from the NCAA tournament.

As the playoff race heats up, all eyes will be on Ovechkin as he inches closer to breaking Gretzky's long-standing record. With only eight games remaining in the season, the anticipation builds for what could be a historic moment in hockey.