Colin Miller was back in uniform on Saturday, released from his status as a healthy scratch because of Torey Krug’s lower-body injury.

As usual, Miller exhibited peaks and valleys in the 3-1 loss to the Capitals. Miller scored the Bruins’ only goal. But he skated unpredictably in the defensive zone. It was the same kind of scattershot play that earned him a place in suit and tie for four of the six previous games.

“Colin always does some good things,’’ said coach Bruce Cassidy. “He has the attributes to play — physical attributes. He’s a good skater. He’s willing to battle. Can shoot, pass. It’s just a matter of calming his game down in those other situations when it’s time to make reads and defend. If a puck doesn’t cooperate with him, just have the composure to settle it down, get it out of trouble, and live to fight another day. Some young players go through that.’’

Aside from his goal, Miller had three attempts blocked and missed the net with another while logging 20:22 of ice time. He may be in for similar workloads once the playoffs start pending the health of Krug and Brandon Carlo. He has never appeared in the NHL postseason.

“I don’t think there’s anything you do different,’’ Miller said. “It’s just that awareness and accountability that you have to bring every single shift.’’

Miller started the game as the left-side man on the No. 3 pairing with Kevan Miller. He moved up and took shifts on the right side with Zdeno Chara.

Spooner on the wing

Ryan Spooner started the game in Brad Marchand’s spot on the first line with Patrice Bergeron and David Backes. Former coach Claude Julien started Spooner this season as the No. 2 left wing. Cassidy had used Spooner exclusively at center, only moving him to the wing against Washington because of rookie Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson’s presence.

“It’s more out of necessity today,’’ Cassidy said before the game. “Maybe [Forsbacka Karlsson] could go to the wing. But he’s played center his whole life. This is his first pro game. You might as well get him in the spot he’s comfortable with. We’ll reassess next week. There could be [a future on the wing] with Ryan. He has played the wing. I prefer him at center. I think he’s done a good job there. If the lineup next week gives us the best chance to win and Ryan’s on left wing, then we’ll look at it.’’

Spooner had one shot in 18:26 of ice time. He was on the ice for all three Washington goals.

“You’re back in more confined areas along the boards. Your defensive-zone coverage assignments are different,’’ Cassidy said.

“But he’s played it. I thought he was OK there. We had a breakdown on one goal where he over-backchecked. But that’s an effort play, to a certain extent. Other than that, in terms of making the adjustment to the wing, he was OK.’’

Beleskey’s down season

Matt Beleskey, slowed by a knee injury midway through the regular season, finished his year with three goals and five assists in 49 games. Skating has been an issue for Beleskey, who hasn’t closed on pucks or opponents with his previous pop.

Beleskey has a history, however, of postseason performance. In 2014-15, his contract year in Anaheim, Beleskey scored eight goals and one assist in 16 games, enough to help convince the Bruins to sign Beleskey to a five-year, $19 million contract on July 1, 2015.

“Maybe I’ve been saving them all year. Let’s hope,’’ Beleskey cracked. “I love the playoffs. Best time, best hockey you can play. I’ll be ready to be at my best.’’

Schaller back in

Tim Schaller returned to the lineup after missing a month because of a lower-body injury. The left wing started the game alongside former linemates Dominic Moore and Riley Nash. Schaller didn’t have a shot in 11:03 of play. “I was playing well when it happened and I thought I played all right tonight,’’ Schaller said. “Hopefully I can fight for a job in the playoffs here.’’ . . . Frank Vatrano started on the No. 2 line with David Krejci and David Pastrnak. But the left wing didn’t stay there for long, replaced by Drew Stafford. Vatrano played only 7:21, least of any forward . . . Ex-Bruin Brett Connolly did not play because he was sick. The right wing has 15 goals and eight assists in 66 games. Connolly signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with Washington after the Bruins declined to issue him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent . . . Boston University coach David Quinn attended the game to watch Forsbacka Karlsson’s NHL debut . . . Sean Kuraly and Joe Morrow were the healthy scratches . . . Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski visited the dressing room after the game.

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeFluto.