Bruins Find ‘A Lot to Like’ Despite Loss in Preseason Finale

September 26, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Boston Bruins are done with the 2026-27 preseason. All that’s left is to name a captain and turn the attention to Tuesday’s home opener.

The Bruins did not end the preseason on a high note, instead losing 3-2 in overtime to the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Friday. Both teams sent NHL-heavy lineups, setting up for one last “dress rehearsal” game before the regular season gets underway. Morgan Geekie and David Pastrnak scored for the Bruins, but Jordan Kyrou called game just 11 seconds into overtime.

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Also Read:Bruins Third-Period Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Capitals in Overtime

The Capitals controlled the game for the first 40 minutes with a 2-0 lead, a 21-12 edge in shots, and 11 more shots attempted than the Bruins. Both Washington goals came on the power play, one late in the first and the other early in the second period. The Bruins would like to have both back, but Marco Sturm did not fault the structure of the penalty kill.

“I would say it was not really a structural thing. It was just, on our behalf, a little bit of stupidity, a little bit,” Sturm said to reporters in Washington. “We’re not being ready or not in shooting lanes; it’s those kinds of things. We just got to make sure we’re going to dial in because those little details matter. On clears, you’ve got to clear them 200 feet. So those are the things, but structure-wise they’re fine. It’s just those details were a little bit missing today.”

The Bruins’ first 40 minutes were not what anyone, especially them, wanted to see in a dress rehearsal game. Sturm said the room was “very quiet” in the second intermission, but his message was that the Bruins could not wait until Tuesday to start feeling good about their game.

Then the Bruins stormed out of the gate in the third period and scored twice before the six-minute mark, with Geekie and Pastrnak scoring just 2:16 apart.

0-2 ➡️ 2-2 👀

GEEKERS & PASTA TIE IT UP IN THE 3RD! #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/QYCE9DTybe

— NESN (@NESN) September 26, 2026

“We were trying to build the game, and obviously they got a couple power play goals,” Pastrnak said. “We just wanted to have a good 20 before preseason is over, and credit to us, you know, good comeback. Didn’t turn it around, but yeah, third period, a lot to like.”

Pastrnak also continued building chemistry with linemate JJ Peterka. Sturm rolled those two out with Elias Lindholm in the middle during the third period against Philadelphia on Tuesday. He kept them together Friday, and he liked what he saw as the Bruins moved closer to the regular season.

“They had some great opportunities. I think they’re still learning how to play together, but there was a lot of good things,” Sturm said. “They should be a threat every time they’re on the ice. JJ had a few opportunities too; didn’t score, but there was a lot to like about this line.”

Pastrnak sees that chemistry continuing to grow.

“Yeah, absolutely. Communication and the more days you’re getting to know each other is important,” Pastrnak said. “I know it’s a quick turnaround after the weekend. We have a big game [Tuesday]. So yeah, no doubt that we’re only going to get better.”

Peterka, while on the power play, set up Pastrnak for a one-timer to tie the game with 14:06 remaining in the third. He fired off three shots, which tied Morgan Geekie for the most on the Bruins’ roster Friday.

With Peterka sliding up to the top line, Geekie moved down to the right side of Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt. As a line, they finished with a 14-10 advantage in shot attempts, a 10-2 advantage in scoring chances, and a 5-2 advantage in high-danger chances. They also outscored the Capitals 1-0.

“It’s good. I haven’t played with a lefty in a while, so it’s nice to have two of them,” Geekie said about his linemates. “It’s a little bit different. You got different spots, but I thought we played well together, you know, had our moments and things like that. Try to create a little more come regular season time, but it’s good to get a few minutes with those guys.”

The four-game preseason did not necessarily teach Sturm anything new in his second season with the team. Now that the evaluations are over, his focus shifts to Tuesday night.

“I know them already, so I don’t know if I learned something new,” Sturm said. “I just got to make sure I’m going to get those guys ready to go again for game one. And it’s a short preseason for everyone. So you got to manage it the right way. And hopefully we did the right thing, and hopefully we will be ready here against the Rangers.”

The Bruins closed the 2026-27 preseason with a 2-1-1 record despite going more than five consecutive periods on the road without a goal. The games start to count on Tuesday, and until then, the Bruins have eight more roster decisions to make, a captain to name, a few practices, and a press conference with the front office.

“I can’t wait to get the thing started,” David Pastrnak said. “It’s going to be very important to get a real good start.”

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