Raffl's late goal pushes Capitals past Bruins, 2-1

Michael Raffl scored from a tight angle with 1.8 seconds remaining and the Washington Capitals beat the short-handed Boston Bruins 2-1 on Tuesday night in the teams' regular season finale.

Carl Hagelin also scored and Vitek Vanecek stopped 25 shots for Washington in a game between teams who will meet in the first round of the playoffs. The Capitals also welcomed right wing Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom back from lower-body injuries.

Curtis Lazar scored for the Bruins, who played largely a reserve squad. That included nine players that entered Tuesday with fewer than 10 games this year and only six with 40 or more. Jeremy Swayman made 30 saves for the Bruins.

Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) celebrates his goal with right wing Garnet Hathaway (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Lazar opened the scoring midway through the second period when he snuck in front of the crease behind defender Tom Wilson and guided in Jarred Tinordi's cross-ice pass.

Hagelin tied it with 3:45 left to go in the period, putting in a loose puck from in close after Swayman stopped Zdeno Chara's initial shot.

It remained that way until Raffl collected a loose puck inside the final seconds in the Bruins' end. From just feet from the goal line left of the goal, he lifted a shot above Swayman's right shoulder and into the roof of the net.

Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores a goal past Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

INJURIES

Bruins RW Ondrej Kase (upper body) remained out after leaving early in Monday's game against the New York Islanders, his first since January after dealing with a concussion. RW Charlie Coyle (upper body) missed his fourth game.

Ovechkin's return marked his first extended playing time since April 22. Capitals RW T.J. Oshie (lower body) and D John Carlson (lower body) remained out.

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) skates with the puck past Boston Bruins defenseman Jack Ahcan (54) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

THE FOURTH LINE EVERYDAY

The Capitals fourth line of Hagelin, Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway all played their 56th game on Thursday, representing three of Washington's four players to appear in every game this season. The unit combined for 23 goals and 48 points.

UP NEXT

Boston Bruins left wing Nick Ritchie (21) and Washington Capitals defenseman Brenden Dillon (4) battle for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

The Bruins and Capitals begin their playoff series on Saturday night in Washington.

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Boston Bruins center Curtis Lazar (20) celebrates his goal with defenseman Jarred Tinordi (84) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin stands on the ice before an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)