PORTLAND, Maine (AP) _ P.J. Axelsson scored 1:27 into overtime to give the Boston Bruins a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday night in the exhibition opener for both teams.

Andrei Kovalenko scored twice, Eric Nickulas added a goal and Jason Allison had three assists for the Bruins. Steve Konowalchuk, Jeff Halpern and Terry Yake scored for the Capitals.

Boston goalie Andrew Raycroft, who entered the game midway through the second period, stopped eight of nine shots to pick up the victory. Washington's Sebastien Charpentier, who replaced Olaf Kolzig at the same time, allowed three goals on 14 shots.