The Bruins lost their 8th straight game as the Washington Capitals downed the B's 4-1 to secure their franchise record 11th straight win. Like many writers that cover this team, I am tired of writing about how the Bruins lost again because they couldn't put the puck in the net and they let their opponent take advantage of mistakes in their own end. Despite out-shooting the Capitals by a 42-26 margin, the Bruins could not capitalize on scoring opportunities and allowed the Capitals to hang around before the B's ultimately gave up 3 third period goals to give the game away.

The Bruins came out of the gate with a lot of energy in the first period and their hard skating led the Capitals to be whistled for 4 minor penalties in the opening period. The Bruins took advantage of a 5 on 3 opportunity 6:58 into the game when David Krejci found the back of the net for the 10th time this season, while Matt Bradley (tripping) and Alex Semin (high-sticking) looked on from the penalty box. Marc Savard fed a nice pass from the right circle to Krejci at the left post to account for the early 1-0 lead. The Bruins controlled the play for much of the opening period and headed to the dressing room with a 13-5 edge in shots.

The Capitals knotted things up at 1-1 when Tom Poti's centering pass found Mike Knuble driving to the net, where the former Bruin deflected it in for his 19th goal of the season.

The Bruins got a rare shorthanded penalty shot attempt after David Krejci was hooked midway through the second period, but Krejci's free shot sailed wide.

The Capitals took advantage of a bad turnover by Matt Hunwick in his own end to take a 2-1 lead at 5:04 of the third period on a goal from Brooks Laich.

The Caps increased their lead to 3-1 with 12:09 left in the third when Tom Poti found Boyd Gordon in the slot with a host of Bruins standing around in front. Matt Hunwick and Dennis Wideman both collapsed on the same guy in front allowing Boyd Gordon to drive to the net untouched.

The Bruins pulled Tim Thomas for the extra attacker and Alex Ovechkin added an empty-netter with 31.4 seconds remaining in the game.

Notes:

- The Bruins current 8-game losing streak is the longest since the 1955-'56 season.

- Bob McKenzie of TSN reported via Twitter that "Boston Bruins have made it known to teams throughout the league that Michael Ryder is available for trade."

- Jose Theodore made 41 saves for the Capitals.

- Former BU Terrier Tom Poti was +4 on the night.

- It is obvious that the Bruins need someone that can put the puck in the net, but I also think they need a guy that can make the first pass from their own zone. Last year, the Bruins created a lot of their offense from the back-end. That's Claude Julien system. Your defense creates offense. That hasn't happened this year. How many times have the Bruins coughed the puck up in their own that led directly to goals this year? The Bruins need a puck-mover...and a goal scorer.

- Zdeno Chara has been playing most of the season with a dislocated finger. I don't get why he is disclosing this information now. This isn't the time for excuses or for a captain to be looking to pats on the back for playing through the pain.

- The Bruins will try (I assume) to snap their 8-game losing streak on Thursday when they host the rival Montreal Canadiens.