Boston killed a crucial penalty in the middle of the period and Washington lost Brooks Laich to a lower-body injury in a third period that lacked much drama.
The crowd at Verizon Wireless Arena began getting restless before Laich emerged hobbled from a scrum, favoring his right leg.
Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin lead the Bruins with four shots apiece, while Dennis Wideman has five shots for Washington.