Fraser Minten scored in the ninth round for the lone goal of the shootout, allowing the Boston Bruins to snap a seven-game road winless skid with a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Saturday.
Boston’s Jeremy Swayman and Washington’s Logan Thompson thwarted each of the other team’s first eight attempts in the shootout before the former denied Aliaksei Protas in the ninth. Minten then went to his backhand to tuck the puck past a sprawling Thompson to end the contest.
Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy scored a pair of goals to extend his point streak to six games (four goals, four assists). He has totaled 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in his past 16 games.
Swayman made 25 saves for the Bruins, who were 0-3-4 in their previous seven road games. Boston also completed a three-game season sweep of Washington.
Washington’s Rasmus Sandin collected a goal and an assist and fellow defenseman Matt Roy also tallied.
Thompson turned aside 32 shots for the Capitals, who have lost five of their last seven games (2-4-1).
Roy’s blast from above the right circle sailed inside the near post to open the scoring 1:15 into the second period. Roy’s goal was his second of the season and first since Nov. 17.
Sandin, who notched an assist on that play, was denied on a pair of point-blank chances to double the advantage. Swayman extended his right pad to thwart a breakaway bid moments later before making a glove save on Sandin’s shot from the left circle midway into the session.
McAvoy’s one-timer from just inside the blue line fluttered past Thompson to forge a 1-1 tie at 11:57 of the second period.
Sandin finally broke through after his shot from the point deflected off the stick of Boston’s Elias Lindholm and past Swayman to give Washington a 2-1 lead at 3:12 of the third period.
McAvoy drew the Bruins even once again midway into the third period after he deflected Pavel Zacha’s shot past Thompson.
