Just as they took a step forward with a statement win over the top team out west, the Boston Bruins encountered another setback against another likely Draft Lottery-bound squad.
The Bruins hung around after watching Jeremy Swayman do yeoman’s work in the opening 20 minutes. The Boston netminder stopped all 15 shots he faced against a Washington Capitals squad that entered Saturday’s tilt ranked 30th in average goals scored per game.
Matt Grzelcyk put the Bruins in an even deeper hole late in the first period. The seventh-year blueliner earned a game misconduct for spearing Caps winger Max Pacioretty below the belt, forcing Jim Montgomery and his coaching staff into a rotation with his five remaining defensemen.