If the 2009-10 Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals are again the favorites this season to at least finish atop the Eastern Conference, the Bruins tonight made a statement that the Caps aren’t the only contenders for the crown.

The Bruins ran their winning streak to three games with a 3-1 road win over the Capitals, who had won four in a row.

Here’s the box score summary:

•Tim Thomas continued his hot hand with 35 saves on 36 shots.

•Milan Lucic recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick, while Matt Hunwick and David Krejci also scored.

•Zdeno Chara was the Bruins’ team leader with 29:05 of ice time.

•Alexander Ovechkin finished with five shots on goal, but didn’t record his first until 1:14 left in the second period.