WASHINGTON, D.C. — Players the Bruins will need to count on this season had good nights as Boston got the Marco Sturm era and their 2025-26 season off to an encouraging start.

Behind a strong game by Jeremy Swayman and a goal and an assist by David Pastrnak , the Bruins beat the Capitals, 3-1, on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.

The Bruins return home for an immediate back-to-back when they host the Blackhawks on Thursday at TD Garden.

Alex Ovechkin came into the game with 897 career goals after breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record last year. That had Capitals fans and their pregame television broadcast speculating on the possibility of a dramatic hat trick in the opener.

But he’ll have to wait for the milestone as Boston kept him off the scoreboard.

The Bruins won despite being

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