Jakub Vrana’s shootout goal lifts Capitals over Bruins

Jakub Vrana scored in the first round of the shootout, and Vitek Vanecek held on in net, leading the Washington Capitals past the host Boston Bruins 2-1 Wednesday night.

Vrana skated out wide and beat Tuukka Rask on a deke before Vanecek (18 saves) turned away all three attempts he faced as the Capitals won their fourth straight. Lars Eller scored in regulation.

Rask had 27 saves, including standout stops on Dmitry Orlov and Nicklas Backstrom in overtime, for the Bruins, who have dropped three of four (1-2-1). David Pastrnak scored.

Pastrnak snapped a scoreless tie at 1:19 of the third period on a play created by Brad Marchand’s steal against John Carlson. Marchand found Pastrnak streaking up ice, and the winger went five-hole for his 10th goal of the season.

The Capitals answered nearly five minutes later off a rebound created by Nick Jensen’s initial shot. Rask couldn’t find the puck before Eller stuffed it in at 6:14.

The game was short on offense — but not action — through the first two periods. Washington had an apparent T.J. Oshie goal with about nine minutes remaining in the first overturned by a Boston challenge for offsides on the puck entering the zone in midair.

Meanwhile, the Bruins went without a shot on net until 4:33 was left in the period. Pastrnak had an opportunity on a breakaway early, but the winger rang the right post.

The Capitals outshot the Bruins 7-2 in the first. The two teams combined for 25 hits.

The tables turned in the second, as it wasn’t until nearly eight minutes remained that Washington registered a shot on net. By period’s end, the shot total was 11-9 in favor of the Capitals, and the combined hit total increased to 46.

Boston played without Charlie Coyle (COVID-19 protocol), while David Krejci (four games missed) and Matt Grzelcyk (seven) returned from lower-body injuries. Evgeny Kuznetsov (upper body) returned from two games missed for Washington.

Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara received a video tribute during the first period in his first game back in Boston after 14 years with the Bruins. The video featured praise from fans, who aren’t allowed in attendance at TD Garden until the end of the month.

-Field Level Media