Capitals 2, Bruins 1 (SO) - Caps outlast B's in shootout

The Bruins return to TD Garden for a matchup against Zdeno Chara and the Capitals on Wednesday night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.. Follow along for updates from Wednesday’s game.

WHO: Bruins (12-5-2) vs. Capitals (12-5-2)

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: TD Garden

TV: NBCSN

RADIO: 98.5-FM The Sports Hub

LIVE BOX SCORE: NHL.com

UPDATE: The Bruins' stretch of luck when it comes to COVID Protocols has apparently run out — as the club announced a few hours ahead of puck drop on Wednesday that Charlie Coyle will not play against the Capitals due to the heath protocols put in place by the league to combat the spread of the virus.

It is important to note that a player placed on the NHL's COVID Protocols list doesn't signal that said individual HAS tested positive for COVID-19. Other reasons can include possible symptoms, a false positive test, quarantine due to contact tracing, inconclusive results and more. Coyle skated with the rest of his teammates during Wednesday's morning skate at Warrior — and was expected to center a third line alongside Trent Frederic and Craig Smith.

With Coyle out, Jack Studnicka will likely slot into the third-line center spot, while Sean Kuraly or a number of other potential pivots are available to drive the fourth line.

It's a tough break for Coyle, who was beginning to build some traction in the offensive zone (four points in his last four games) after being mired in a prolonged scoring slump.

More info to come as it becomes available...

LIVE COVERAGE:



Caps take it in the shootout.

On to the shootout.

Rask has been insane in overtime this season.

On to overtime.

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Lars Eller ties it up. Bad turnover by Kuraly there.

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Third period is a go.

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Second period underway. Bruins with 1:50 on the power play.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1367277484685881345

DeBrusk gets Boston's first SOG with 4:32 left in the first.

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Still no SOG with 5:41 left in the first.

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Boston is challenging.

Oshie opens the scoring for Washington.

Still no SOG for Boston with 9:09 left in the first.

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Nice feed from Grzelcyk to set up the scoring chance for Pastrnak. His shot rings off the post twice.

Bruins kill off McAvoy's penalty.

McAvoy to the box.

Things already getting heated.

Game is underway.

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LINEUPS 

BOSTON

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Ritchie-Krejci-DeBrusk
Frederic-Coyle-Smith
Kuraly-Studnicka-Wagner

Zboril-McAvoy
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Tinordi-Clifton

Rask
Halak

WASHINGTON

https://twitter.com/SamanthaJPell/status/1366812116074827782

PREGAME NOTES: 

After playing just one home game at TD Garden during the entire month of February, the Bruins will return to Causeway Street for a three-game homestand – starting with a two-game set against the Capitals.

The Capitals and Islanders are currently tied for first in the East Division with 28 points on the year, while the Bruins sit in third place with 26 points.

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For the first time since March 16, 2006, Zdeno Chara will skate on the TD Garden ice without a black-and-gold sweater on, with the future Hall of Famer still serving as a minutes-eating presence on Washington's blue line.

Still, even if he's no longer with the Bruins — nor will there be fans in the stands for his return — Chara still shared a message of appreciation and thanks for his 14-year tenute in Boston.

“From Day 1 in 2006 when I signed with the Boston Bruins, I felt really connected with the Boston fans and the City of Boston,” Chara said over Zoom on Tuesday. “I developed so many great friendships and connections and we went through so many ups and downs together. We always felt their energy and support being with us and behind us in those times.

“The best moment that we probably all can share is to bring the Stanley Cup back to Boston in 2011. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate and how lucky and blessed I am to share these celebrations with the fans. Everything they’ve done for me and my family, all these communities I’ve been part of, I just want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me and my family. For all the support and the love.”

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Both David Krejci and Matt Grzelcyk are expected to make their return to the lineup on Wednesday, with the center and defenseman missing the last four and seven games, respectively, due to lower-body injuries. Jarred Tinordi will make his debut with Boston and skate on the B's third D pair with Connor Clifton.