BRUINS 4, CAPITALS 3: Captain Zdeno Chara scored with 1:53 remaining to break a 3-3 tie and added two assists to lift Boston to a 2-1 series lead over host Washington in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

Chara’s point blast deflected off the stick of Captials’ defenseman Roman Hamrlik and past Braden Holtby to seal the Game 3 victory.

After Boston took a 3-2 lead on a tally from Brian Rolston 62 seconds into the final frame, Brooks Laich tied it for the Capitals with six minutes remaining when he was sent in on a breakaway and beat Tim Thomas top shelf. Laich also had two assists.

Rich Peverley and Daniel Paille scored for the Bruins in the second period.

Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin tallied their first goals of the series for Washington.

Thomas made 29 saves to earn his 28th career playoff victory.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask made the trip to Washington with the team as he continues to recover from a groin injury, while defenseman Adam McQuaid remains in Boston to receive treatment for an upper-body injury. ... The Bruins dished out 58 hits compared to the Capitals’ 36.