BOSTON (AP) Jakub Vrana had the only goal in the shootout and the Washington Capitals beat the Bruins 2-1 Wednesday night in Zdeno Chara's return to Boston.

Lars Eller scored in regulation for the Capitals, who improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine games. Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves.

The 43-year-old Chara, the Bruins' captain for his 14 seasons with the club, signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Capitals in the offseason. He helped Boston win the 2011 Stanley Cup, and was a key part of its runner-up teams in 2013 and 2019.