Tim Thomas returned to game action for the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night, but a change in goaltender couldn't change the team's fortunes, as they dropped their fourth preseason game in a row to the Washington Capitals, 4-1.
The record may be disappointing, but the Bruins spent much of the past few games throwing a variety of different line combination onto the ice, as well as moving players into new roles. Even rookies got in on the experimental action, with 2010 second overall pick Tyler Seguin trying out in center Wednesday evening.
Seeing his first game action after offseason hip surgery, Thomas faced fifteen shots, letting up five goals. The Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom scored on Thomas just over the ten minute mark of the first period, and then near the eighteen minute mark of the second period.
The game offered little offensively save for Backstrom's two goals until the third period. Andrew Gordon and Matt Bradley scored within the first seven minutes of the period to give the Capitals a 4-0 lead. Mark Recchi would deny the Capitals goaltending tandem for the night (Dany Sabourin and Braden Holtby) a shutout with a goal at the 8:45 mark of the third.
Post-game, the Bruins (1-3-1 on the preseason) jumped on a flight to Belfast for their final preseason game and preparations to kick of the regular season in Prague.