Bruins erase 3-goal deficit against Capitals, win 5-3

David Pastrnak scored his first two goals of the season before Craig Smith tied it, Brandon Carlo scored the go-ahead goal and the Boston Bruins came back to beat the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Monday night.

Boston rallied from a 3-0 deficit for the second game in a row against Washington. After losing Saturday on Alex Ovechkin's overtime goal, the Bruins finished the job this time as Carlo beat Vitek Vanecek with 2:37 left in the third period and Brad Marchand sealed it with an empty-netter.

Pastrnak was playing his second game after undergoing offseason hip surgery. He and Ovechkin tied for the NHL lead in goals last season.

Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates his goal with left wing Brad Marchand (63) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington lost in regulation for the first time this season, ending its franchise-best point streak to start a season at nine games. The Capitals lost another regular to injury when winger Conor Sheary limped off late in the third period.

The Florida Panthers, who have played only six games this season, are the league's last unbeaten team in regulation.

Former Bruins captain Zdeno Chara scored in his second game against his old team. Chara and Daniel Sprong combined for two goals in 11 seconds, John Carlson scored on the power play and Jakub Vrana had two primary assists after being demoted to the fourth line.

Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) celebrates his goal with center Nic Dowd (26) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Vanecek allowed four goals on 32 shots. Boston goalie Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves.

WILSON VS. FREDERIC

Tensions between these teams boiled over in the third period when well-established Capitals tough guy Tom Wilson and big Bruins rookie Trent Frederic dropped the gloves. It was each player's first fight of the season.

Washington Capitals right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) checks Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

NO CAPS UPDATES

While defenseman Dmitry Orlov returned from a five-game pandemic protocol absence, Washington was without goaltender Ilya Samsonov and center Evgeny Kuznetsov for a sixth consecutive game. They did not skate with the team and remained on the NHL's COVID-19 unavailable list.

Coach Peter Laviolette said Kuznetsov and Samsonov are still in quarantine. Center Lars Eller missed his third in a row with an upper-body injury and defenseman Justin Schultz his second after taking a puck to the face Thursday.

Washington Capitals right wing Daniel Sprong (10) celebrates his goal with center Michael Sgarbossa, back, during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

“I saw Schultz at the rink, and I talked to him,” Laviolette said. “He’s doing good. He remains day to day. ... I think there'll be a process to it. You guys will probably see it as it starts to unfold on the ice.”

UP NEXT

Bruins: Travel to Philadelphia for games against the Flyers on Wednesday and Friday.

Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) celebrates his goal with right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) and others during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Capitals: Visit the New York Rangers for a rare one-off road game Thursday.

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Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) and Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) collide along the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Conor Sheary (73) and Boston Bruins defenseman Jakub Zboril (67) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) is tripped next to Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)