Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals: Time, TV, how to watch today

Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals plays tonight, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. TV is Monumental Sports Network in the Capitals’ market and NESN in New England.

Washington expects a stronger lineup at home. Captain Alex Ovechkin is slated for his preseason debut after missing time with a lower-body issue. Defenseman Martin Fehérváry is also tracking for his first preseason game.

Key details for Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals

The matchup is a late-camp tune-up with roster battles still live on both sides. The Capitals enter the night unbeaten in preseason and are blending veterans with prospects fighting for jobs. Ovechkin’s return is the headline, signaling progress from his camp setback and giving Washington a first look at top-line and power-play rhythm before opening week. Team channels list radio coverage on 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7 in D.C., and 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston.

NESN scheduled full Bruins coverage for this date, including pregame and postgame shows around the telecast. Monumental Sports Network lists the game locally; availability can vary if you use a live-TV streaming bundle. Some platforms recently lost carriage for Monumental, so many D.C. viewers may need the network’s direct subscription or a supported pay-TV provider to watch.

Expected Washington notables include Alex Ovechkin up front and Martin Fehérváry on defense. Recent camp pairings and notes point to Jakob Chychrun, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and goaltenders Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren factoring tonight. For Boston, the focus is on special teams reps, final bottom-six combinations, and minutes for depth defense as the club trims toward its final roster. National outlets have also reported that Ovechkin is trending toward full readiness for the regular-season opener, which aligns with tonight’s planned skate.

For fans, the checklist is simple. Confirm your regional network, note potential blackouts, and tune in before puck drop to catch warm-ups and lineup confirmations.

What this game means for both teams

Short term, coaches are looking for cleaner breakouts and sharper power-play entries. Washington wants to integrate Ovechkin and Fehérváry smoothly while protecting minutes. Boston wants to lock down its penalty kill rotations and evaluate bubble forwards under road pressure.

Longer term, items from this game feed directly into opening-night roles. A strong preseason finish can decide final roster spots, dictate early line matching, and set tone for October. A healthy Ovechkin and stabilized Washington blue line change how opponents defend the slot; Boston’s clarity at center and in the bottom six will shape early results.

Wrap-up: Boston Bruins vs Washington Capitals starts at 7:00 p.m. ET with regional TV on Monumental Sports Network and NESN. Ovechkin’s expected return and Fehérváry’s debut headline the night. It is a meaningful preseason checkpoint for both sides before final cuts.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time is Bruins vs Capitals tonight?

7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Doors open earlier. Arrive in time for warm-ups.

Q2: What channel is Bruins vs Capitals on?

Monumental Sports Network in the Capitals’ market. NESN in New England. Radio is 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7 and 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Q3: Is Alex Ovechkin playing tonight?

Yes, he is slated for his 2025-26 preseason debut after a lower-body issue in camp, per team and league reports.

Q4: How can I stream the game?

Use your regional network’s authenticated app or a pay-TV provider that carries it. Some live-TV bundles in D.C. no longer carry Monumental.

Q5: Who else returns for Washington?

Defenseman Martin Fehérváry is expected to play his first preseason game after knee surgery in the spring.