Grzelcyk scores five points for Bruins in win against Capitals

WASHINGTON --Matt Grzelcyk had a goal and four assists for the Boston Bruins, who scored six straight goals in a 7-3 win against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Monday.

Grzelcyk is the first defenseman to score five points in an NHL game this season.
"As it's happening, you just kind of shake your head," Grzelcyk said. "I was just laughing during the game because I've felt good about my game most of the year and points have been a little bit hard to come by. It's something I don't really worry about, but at the same time my job is to [contribute] offensively."

David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand each scored twice for the Bruins (19-11-2), who won for the fifth time in six games despite trailing 2-0 in the first period. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves.
Conor Sheary scored two goals for the Capitals (20-8-9), who have lost four in a row (0-2-2). Zach Fucale was pulled after allowing four goals on 16 shots. Vitek Vanecek made 12 saves in relief.
Washington has allowed 18 goals during the skid.
"We have to get back to our game, our game plan," Sheary said. "We have a lot of good players that have been in and out of the lineup, maybe get them back in and get some reps. We're not going to hit the panic button. We're just going to keep grinding away."
Sheary gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 3:02 of the first period on a backhand after Ullmark failed on a clearing attempt. He scored again at 12:32 with a one-timer from the left face-off circle to make it 2-0.
The Bruins tied it late in the first period when Pastrnak and Marchand each scored on the power play 40 seconds apart. Pastrnak cut it to 2-1 on a one-timer from the left circle off a pass from Marchand during a 5-on-3 advantage at 18:34, and Marchand tied it 2-2 with a wrist shot from the right circle at 19:14.
Marchand remained in the game after a high stick cut his nose with the Bruins trailing 2-0.
"We know what he's all about, so we've seen it: his compete level," Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said of Marchand. "Practice, game, optional skate, morning skate, you name it -- he's a competitive guy when he puts the skates on, and I think it demoralizes the other team a little bit."

Grzelcyk gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead when he scored from the high slot at 2:51 of the second period, and Craig Smith made it 4-2 at 7:53.
Pastrnak extended the Bruins lead to 5-2 off a pass from linemate Taylor Hall on a 2-on-1 at 8:54, and Erik Haula, the third member of that line, made it 6-2 at 13:09.
Hall had two assists and extended his point streak to six games (two goals, six assists).
"He's a pretty explosive player," Cassidy said of Hall. "He finds the ice and can finish plays and can pass as well as he shoots. It's a good combination right now."
T.J. Oshie cut it to 6-3 when Alex Ovechkin's pass deflected in off his skate at 14:06.
Marchand scored on a rebound at 10:59 of the third period for the 7-3 final.
"The start was good. I thought we came out and did the right things," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "Back-to-back 5-on-3 penalty kills] were tough. They scored two goals and it's a 2-2 game after a pretty good first period of 5-on-5 hockey, [but
each was placed in COVID-19 protocol.