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Women’s Recap: Fleet sail by Sirens, win 3-2 in a shootout

Boston Fleet v Toronto Sceptres

Photo by Michael Chisholm/Getty Images

Depth scoring and good goalie play are a recipe for success.

Boston came out on the wrong foot with a sloppy start. An early turnover deep in their own zone set Sarah Fillier up to open the scoring barely two minutes into the first. A mere few minutes later underutilized Loren Gabel stepped up and sniped home an equalizer. New York would have much of the run of play the rest oof the period and retook the lead in the final minute of the period on a rebound shoot Jesse Eldridge put home.

The second was a quieter period where neither team was able to doo too much. New York took two penalties, one a too many skaters minor and the other a minor for cross checking. The second infraction of the period was deadly as Boston finally scored on the PP again when also lightly used Amanda Pelkey took control of a wild puck and deflected in the equalizer.

The third period and the OT saw lots of high danger opportunities but the goalies decided to show up and shut things down. The shootout continued in that vein as only one shot made hit past a goalie, when Susanna Tapani put the second shot in.

Highlights:

Game Notes​

  • The power play is starting to pick up. The Pelkey goal was a clutch performance that hopefully means the Fleet are getting back on track.
  • This game saw both goals scored by players that have not gotten much ice time, Gabel has been a regular healthy scratch, it does beg some question as to why she hasn’t been win the lineup often.
  • The Fleet continue to win whenever Jillian Dempsey his dressed.
  • It was a goalie show and Frankel continues to keep this team alive in the standings.
  • Boston is quietly staying afloat near the top oof the standings. Currently they sit in 3rd, two points behind Toronto, but with a game in hand. First place and Montreal seem well out of reach at this point though.
  • The Fleet will travel north to play Montreal on Saturday.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ap-fleet-sail-by-sirens-win-3-2-in-a-shootout
 
Recap: Bruins drop 5-4 OT loss to Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs v Boston Bruins

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Overtime losses sting a bit more when up 3-0 in a game.

The Boston Bruins failed to secure their lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing their opponent to push back for Toronto to hand them a 5-4 loss in overtime at the TD Garden on Tuesday night.

The Bruins had two power-play goals and David Pastrnak had a two-goal night and an assist in the loss. Mitch Marner had two goals for Toronto including the game-winner in overtime while Morgan Rielly had a four-point night.

Interim head coach Joe Sacco said he felt the team was ready to play from the start tonight, despite the loss.

The Bruins were up 3-0 half way through the second period, notching two power-play goals in that time from Brad Marchand and Morgan Geekie. David Pastrnak opened the scoring and added an assist to boost the Bruins to that lead.

Things were looking good. The Bruins were outshooting the Maple Leafs and getting power-play opportunities.

“The first 40 minutes, I really liked what we were doing,” Sacco said. “You give them some life and then they start to push.”

While the Maple Leafs made it 3-1 after 40 minutes, it wasn’t until Toronto’s next goal that momentum shifted against the Bruins. It’s the goal Sacco said hurt the Bruins the most during the game because it changed the energy on the ice to the Maple Leafs’ favor.

The Bruins started the third period on the penalty kill after Oliver Wahlstrom took a late-period penalty for high-sticking.

Just 59 seconds into the third, Mitch Marner cut the Maple Leaf’s deficit to one-goal on the power play. Then Nicholas Robertson added another with plenty of time left in regulation.

Pastrnak netted his second goal of the night to regain the Bruins’ lead, but the Leafs battled back again and Pontus Holmberg evened things for Toronto in the last minute of the third period.

After a chance by Mason Lohrei in overtime, a breakdown sprung Marner loose, thanks to Auston Matthews, for Marner to beat Swayman and earn a 5-4 overtime win for the Maple Leafs.

“I thought we played well,” Marchand said. “We definitely played well enough to win that game. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get both points, but we have have to keep up.”

The Bruins are back on Thursday at the TD Garden to face the New York Islanders at 7 p.m.

Here are the highlights:

First period:

Mason Lohrei sent a long pass to David Pastrnak who lifted a wrist shot from the slot past Anthony Stolarz just 29 seconds into the first period. 1-0 Bruins.

Pastrnak sent the puck out front which bounced off Stolarz and a Leafs’ defenseman before Brad Marchand had the last tap at 13:59 of the first period on the power play. 2-0 Bruins.

Second period:

From behind the net, Elias Lindholm found Morgan Geekie in the left-wing circle for a one-timer blast past Stolarz’s blocker on the power play at 10:00 of the second period. 3-0 Bruins.

The Maple Leafs got one back as Morgan Rielly skate down into the right-wing circle to fire a wrist shot past Jeremy Swayman’s glove at 13:52 of the second period. 3-1 game.

Third period:

Mitch Marner went top shelf over Swayman’s glove shoulder 59 seconds into the third period on the power play. 3-2 game.

Nicholas Robertson put a wrist shot past Swayman from inside the left face-off circle at 6:40 of the third period. 3-3 game.

Pastrnak walked into the slot and threw a close wrist shot past Stolarz’ glove to give the Bruins the lead at 10:33 of the third period. 4-3 Bruins.

Robertson sent a pass to the slot which Pontus Holmberg picked up for a quick snap shot past Swayman’s glove at 19:14 of the third period. 4-4 game.

Overtime:

Marner receives Auston Matthews pass to skate down the center, make a quick move at the top of the paint to then beat Swayman low past his left skate at 4:08 of overtime. Final score: 5-4 Maple Leaf.

Post-game soundbites​

  • Marchand on what the Bruins need to do differently to stop a team like Toronto from pushing back so late in the game: “They’re talented, but...it seems like right now, anytime we make a mistake, it’s going to end up in the back of the net. We just have to limit them. We can’t give teams anything easy. You got to continue to play behind them.”
  • Pastrnak said the team has tried to take some positive on the restart since break. He sees earning two points as a positive, but not that there hasn’t been a “W” yet from those points. “I think just if you get on the winning track, you know, get the winning mojo and winning confidence into this room, we are not far behind. We’re right there and it’s going to be better.”
  • Postgame, Pastrnak complimented Lohrei’s pass to him on his goal, calling it “world-class.” In response, Lohrei talked about the play and what he saw on it. “Pav (Zacha) made a great pass on the breakout, slipped it to me in the middle, so I just got my head up and I saw David taken off, so. I launched it.”
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...drop-5-4-overtime-loss-to-toronto-maple-leafs
 
Preview: Bruins to face Atlantic-best Maple Leafs tonight

Boston Bruins v Toronto Maple Leafs

Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images

One game at a time.

Just the facts​


When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing perspective: PPP Leafs

Know your enemy​

  • 35-20-2, 72PTS, 1st in Atlantic Division
  • Mitch Marner: 16G-55A-71PTS; William Nylander: 33G-25A-58PTS; John Tavares: 22G-26A-48PTS
  • Joseph Woll: 20-11-0, 2.63 GAA, .910 save percentage; Anthony Stolarz: 11-5-2, 2.13 GAA, .928 save percentage

Game notes​

  • The Boston Bruins look to get on track as they face the Toronto Maple Leafs at the TD Garden tonight.
  • “We need to embrace the situation we are in right now, playing meaningful games right now,” Interim head coach Joe Sacco said after yesterday’s practice on the standings and this being a divisional game.
  • This is the last meeting between the Bruins and Maple Leafs this season. So far, the Bruins are 1-2-0 against them (4-3 OT win on Oct. 26, 2024, 4-0 loss on Nov. 5, 2024 and 6-4 loss on Jan. 4). That 4-0 loss came as Toronto was able to score three power-play goals.
  • Head-to-head against each other this season, Toronto went 3 for 12 on the power play. The Bruins are 1 for 13 scoring against the Leafs on the power play. Marner has 10 points against the Bruins while Matthew Knies has 8 against them in those three games. Both had five-point nights in the last meeting.
  • The Maple Leafs come to Boston on a two-game winning streak since the break, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks.
  • For the Leafs, Auston Matthews has seven points with one goal and six assists in his last five games. William Nylander has three goals in that time.
  • Only picking up a point in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, the Bruins remain one point out of a playoff spot. Toronto, on the other hand, sits at the top of the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Florida Panthers.
  • David Pastrnak will look to extend his point streak to 15 games. If he does, he’ll join Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr and Ken Linseman as players who have hit at least a 15-game point streak in their career — an accomplishment made by only 10 different Bruins in the organization’s history. After that only eight different Bruins have reached 16 or more game point streaks.
  • As far as league-point leaders, two points separate Marner (71 pts) and Pastrnak (69).
  • Injury update: Still no Charlie McAvoy. With Hampus Lindholm out likely for the remainder of the season, Sacco said yesterday that it’s up to the rest of the group to step up and take on “a little bit more.”
  • See ya tonight!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...bruins-face-a-hot-toronto-maple-leafs-tonight
 
Preview: Bruins look to bounce back against Islanders

NHL: JAN 05 Islanders at Bruins

Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Every point counts.

Just the facts​


When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing SB Nation site: Lighthouse Hockey

Know your enemy​

  • 25-25-7, 57PTS, 7th in Metropolitan Division
  • Anders Lee: 23G-18A-41PTS; Bo Horvat: 19G-22A-41PTS; Kyle Palmieri: 17G-21A-38PTS
  • Ilya Sorokin: 20-18-4, 2.80 GAA, .903 save percentage; Semyon Varlamov: 3-4-3, 2.89 GAA, .889 save percentage

Game notes​

  • The Boston Bruins will look to figure things out as the New York Islanders come to town tonight after letting another win, and points, slip away.
  • The Bruins failed to lock in a three-goal lead on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading to their opponent to bounce back, tie the game, and eventually win it in over time.
  • There were some silver linings. David Pastrnak’s point streak was extended to 15 games and the power play was hot. Morgan Geekie also continues to be an asset to the Bruins’ offense. Pastrnak has seven points and Geekie has four goals in the last five games.
  • This is the last meeting between the Bruins and Islanders this season. The Bruins are 1-0-1 against them this season. They last met on Jan. 5, a 5-4 OT loss for the Bruins where the Bruins tied the game in the third to force overtime, but Bo Horvat led the Islanders to victory.
  • If there’s one thing positive for the Bruins, they are five points ahead of the Islanders in line for a wild card spot. While the Islanders’ chance looks bleak, these are two big points on the line for the Bruins where every win counts.
  • And maybe there’s a second. The Islanders power play is ranked last in the NHL at 11.3%. The Bruins have crossed a new high this season with the power play at 15.4% thanks to two power-play goals last game.
  • The Islanders are 0-2-0 since returning on the break to bring a before and after break losing streak to four games. They fell 5-1 to the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
  • For the Isles, Noah Dobson is back in the lineup after being out for 11 games with a lower-body injury.
  • The Bruins were off yesterday, so there are no new developments to report.
  • See ya tonight!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ook-to-bounce-back-against-new-york-islanders
 
Recap: Bruins fall short to Islanders, 2-1

NHL: FEB 27 Islanders at Bruins

Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Bruins couldn’t recover from an early two-goal deficit.

The Boston Bruins fell 2-1 to the New York Islanders on Thursday night at the TD Garden as the team came up short to bounce back from a two-goal hole.

With the loss, the Bruins are now on a five-game winless streak. The Bruins may have also suffered a different type of loss as well as Matt Poitras left the game in the second with a lower-body injury.

Despite outshooting the Islanders 15-6 in the first frame, Alexander Romanov out of the penalty box beat Jeremy Swayman on a 2-on-1. The goal came on only the Islanders’ third shot on net.

After a strong offensive with Pavel Zacha breaking away with the puck after he forced a turnover, play came right back down the other end for the Islanders to take a two-goal lead thanks to Kyle Palmieri.

Again, the Bruins found themselves in the same boat, getting shots through to challenge Isles’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin, but they were met with a hot netminder.

“We did a better job of getting in front of him after the first, but he was really good tonight,” Interim head coach Joe Sacco said.

The Bruins encountered some bad luck in the final minutes of the second period. Brock Nelson shoved Poitras near the Islanders bench for Poitras to get caught in an open-bench door which back-up goaltender Jakub Sharek had opened simultaneously. He did not return to the game.

David Pastrnak cut the Bruins’ deficit in half midway through the third period with a hard-angled shot that hit an Islanders’ defenseman and bounced into the net past Sorokin. The goal extended his point streak to 16 games.

The Bruins had their fair share of chances and Swayman also made a few big saves to keep it a one-goal game, but they couldn’t completely push back to change the outcome of this one.

“Every line played a pretty good game,” Pastrnak said. “Unfortunately we got down 2-0 against a team like the Islanders. Any time they get the lead, they lock it in and they are really good at it and they don’t give you much.”

Here are the game’s highlights:

First period:

Fresh out of the box and on a 2-on-1 with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Alexander Romanov threw a wrist shot top shelf over Jeremy Swayman’s glove at 16:11 of the first period. 1-0 Islanders.

Second period:

Right after Pavel Zacha stole the puck at the Bruins’ blue line to skate in on Ilya Sorokin and got a chance, the play came right back down the other end. Kyle Palmieri picked up the rebound from Brock Nelson’s shot at 4:21 of the second period. 2-0 Islanders.

Third period:

David Pastrnak shot the puck toward net from a hard angle low from outside the right circle. The puck hit off defenseman Tony DeAngelo and past Sorokin. Final score: 2-1 Islanders.

Game notes​

  • Well, it’s another game and the Bruins get further away from a wild card spot. The race is still tight and only a few points separate six teams. Those teams range from 59 to 62 points with the Bruins, New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators all at 62 points.
  • There were definitely some problems tonight and mistakes which led a Bruins team that had plenty of chances to come up short. It didn’t help, for one thing, that the Islanders scored twice on just eight shots on net.
  • But Sacco said postgame that he like seeing his team have five or six scoring opportunities before the Islanders’ first goal. Sacco said Sorokin was the difference in the game, stopping quality chances. Overall, Sacco said he felt this game was a “good one for our group” and one that they could build on.
  • Matt Poitras left the game with a lower-body injury after being hit by Brock Nelson and into an open bench door, which back-up goaltender Jakub Sharek opened. Postgame, Sacco did not have an update on Poitras.

Matt Poitras heads to the room after Brock Nelson shoves him right as the bench door opens.

Not good. pic.twitter.com/doKMUiPxgu

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 28, 2025​
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  • After the game, Pastrnak and Nikita Zadorov weighed in on the incident, commenting on the open-bench door and responsibilities as a player to prevent that type of situation. “As a player, you make sure the door is always closed,” Pastrnak said. “You don’t want to see that, and you definitely don’t want to see a guy push him into the door.”
  • “I mean, was a backup goalie to open the door?,” Zadorov said about what happened. “You’ve got to be a little bit more patient up there. It’s just an unlucky play to see a young guy go down, especially, he’s been playing really well for us. I don’t know what they’re gonna do, but we have to hold the guys to step up, step up and take his spot and contribute as well.”
  • Pastrnak’s point streak now stands at 16 games, hitting a career high. The goal also gave him 800 career points. “He’s on another level and it’s impressive to watch him every night,” Marchand said postgame. “He just creates so much for this group and he’s leading the charge right now.”
  • Marchand talked about the adversity the team is facing at this point in the season, but how the Bruins are looking to come out the other side.

“It hasn’t been the season that we’ve wanted and we haven’t had the success that we would have liked this time of the year,” Marchand said. “But the good thing is that we’re coming together over it. At the end of the day, we may not achieve what we hope to this year, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t build for something greater and bring it back next year.

“We’re going to work every single day to continue to improve and build our game,” Marchand added. “We’re going to claw and fight every single day to get into the playoffs here. It’s a dog fight.”

  • The Bruins will head on the road for back-to-back games this weekend. Up first, the Bruins will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins at 3 p.m.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...n-bruins-fall-short-to-new-york-islanders-2-1
 
Preview: Slumping Bruins begin a busy weekend in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins v Boston Bruins

Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

Ha ha, time for Bruins!

Just the facts​


When: Today, 3 PM

Where: PPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh, PA

How to follow: ABC, ESPN+, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing perspective: PensBurgh

Know your enemy​

  • 24-28-9, 57PTS, last in the Metropolitan Division
  • Sidney Crosby: 18G-43A-61PTS; Rickard Rakell: 25G-24A-49PTS; Erik Karlsson: 8G-35A-43PTS
  • Alex Nedeljkovic: 12-11-5, 3.22 GAA, .891 save percentage

Game notes​

  • Get stoked, folks! The Bruins are back in action, in what’s sure to be a not-at-all frustrating, definitely-not-tearing-your-hair-out afternoon.
  • The Bruins and Penguins are in somewhat similar situations, in that both likely thought prior to the season that they’d be in a better place on March 1. Instead, both are outside of the playoff picture and playing pretty dreadful hockey, so...at least they’ve got that in common.
  • The Penguins beat the B’s 2-1 at TD Garden in their only other meeting this season, with that one coming way back in November.
  • The Bruins, as you’re all well aware, have lost five games in a row, with two of those losses coming beyond regulation. The Penguins won last time out, beating the Flyers in OT after coming back from being down 3-0 and 4-1. Prior to that game, the Pens had lost four games in a row, all in regulation.
  • In that OT win over the Flyers, Alex Nedeljkovic got pulled after the Pens fell behind 3-0, and wasn’t shy about showing his displeasure at the hook. While “I’m really mad, watch me slam the door” doesn’t really change anything, it probably wouldn’t hurt to see someone on the Bruins show some kind of emotion as the season slips away.
  • Trent Frederic will be out this weekend and beyond, officially termed “week-to-week.” I’d venture a guess that his status won’t change his trade value and that he’s likely played his last game for the B’s.
  • Matt Poitras returned to practice on Friday and appeared no worse for the wear after leaving Thursday’s loss following a weird bench door collision.
  • In case you missed it on Friday, the B’s made a series of roster moves. Oliver Wahlstrom cleared waivers and was assigned to Providence, as were Michael Callahan and Riley Tufte. In their place, the B’s recalled Georgii Merkulov, Jeffrey Viel, and Ian Mitchell.
  • David Pastrnak extended his point streak to 16 games on Thursday, as he continued carrying the unconscious collective body of this team on his back. In doing so, he tied Robert Lang and Jaromir Jagr for the longest-ever point streak by a Czech player, which is pretty cool.
  • Imagine how far down the standings the Bruins would be without Pastrnak? Yikes!

Well folks, let’s all have fun out there and if nothing else, don’t let a hockey game ruin your weekend.

Optimism is high, as you can tell.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ing-bruins-begin-a-busy-weekend-in-pittsburgh
 
Public Skate: Bruins vs. Penguins

Boston Bruins John McKenzie

Photo by Ed Jenner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Here we go again!

Look, it’s the Bruins and Penguins playing in 1967! That’s pretty cool.

Welcome to March, folks, the time of the hockey season where the contenders start loading up and the pretenders start putting up “FOR SALE” signs.

Both the Bruins and Penguins have had disappointing seasons thus far, so it’ll be interesting to see who wins today’s We’re Not Mad, We’re Just Disappointed Bowl.

As a reminder, this game is being broadcast nationally on ABC in the States, with the suits at ABC likely wishing they could have a scheduling do-over at this point.

As another reminder, the B’s will be right back at it tomorrow afternoon in Minnesota, so...yeah. This weekend should be chaotic.

Anyways, it’s the Bruins! It’s the Penguins! It’s LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

Discuss.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ns-vs-penguins-bruins-talk-online-bruins-news
 
Public Skate: Bruins vs. Wild

NHL: DEC 23 Bruins at Wild


Again?!?!

Ha Ha, Time for Bruins (again)!

The B’s are right back at it this afternoon, less than 24 hours after the puck dropped in Pittsburgh.

Given the tight turnaround, we’re going to skip a full preview and get right into the Public Skate. THAT’S WHAT YOU THINK, BUCKO -Sky

This game begins at 3:30 PM Eastern, and it’ll be aired on TNT, truTV, and MAX.

The Wild last played on Friday night, a road game in Colorado. The Bruins, of course, played yesterday in Pittsburgh.

I know the schedule gets crammed this time of year, but it’s weird to see a road team play back-to-back games, with the second coming against a rested home team.

Still, can’t please everyone, right? Right.

Discuss.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...kate-bruins-vs-wild-bruins-back-to-back-games
 
Bruins vs. Wild RECAP: A Mild Effort brings Boston to a 1-0 LOSS

NHL: Boston Bruins at Minnesota Wild

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

In a year of high scoring, back and forth contests, this game was a throwback in all the worst ways.

[Yawn]

...Let’s just get this over with.

1st Period​


The Bruins and Wild did...mostly nothing. There was a fight between Marcus Foligno and Mark Kastelic, but that was about it.

Onto the 2nd.

2nd Period​


The sole goal of the game was scored by Frederick Gaudreau, who was used primarily as a pinball bumper by Marcus Johanssson as he took a shot from distance to pop the puck in past Jeremy Swayman. 1-0 Wild.

3rd Period​


Try as the Bruins might, absolutely jack-all happened in the third period, bringing the final score to 1-0 Wild.

Game Notes​

  • Your TOI Leader was David Pastrnak, who played 25:18 tonight.
  • What a dull, boring game. In an NHL whose skill and talent level is higher than ever and games have never been more fever pitched, the Wild and Bruins came together to drag fans back into the late 90s and early 00’s, only this time there was no NZ trap involved (thank god); just pure ineptitude of two sides who’s very best are either out of the lineup, or putting in backbreaking work to get their squad to do something, anything, with the puck. Both sides had power plays, neither side did anything with them. The only goal that went in was some deflection off of a guy’s body, and the Wild were more than willing to sit themselves right down on that lead and never relinquish it. It was a tired, gross, slog and I’m glad it’s over.
  • Boston’s offense was completely disorganized; playing with very little speed, making no headway in controlling the faceoff dot (neither did Minnesota), accomplishing little in their physical play, and the few players who could do something were passing to their teammates’ skates, or promptly took the very few good passes of the night and completely bobbled them.
  • David Pastrnak’s point streak comes to an end tonight with 17 games, and 33 points accrued in that time. He did a lot of attempting to force plays tonight; part of it being that some of his teammates could in fact find open lanes to be in, but the minute the puck touched them; whether from the skate or to the stick, it was like they were simply repelled from the net or from doing anything marginally interesting with it. Just that kind of night for Boston.
  • In a game this tight, Jeremy Swayman gave you a chance. A deflection goal-against and a .955 SV% should be more than enough to save you if you can summon the horses necessary to both tie the game and then also get ahead. Boston had neither of those things tonight.
  • Two more games before the deadline. One against Nashville, and then one against Carolina. Better make your intentions known now; the teams who are selling are getting great deals and the buyers are getting frustrated that there aren’t enough sellers to go around.

Boston makes a quick trip home to play the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. That game drops the puck at 7pm EST.

We’ll see you there.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...erick-gaudreau-jeremy-swayman-boring-ahh-game
 
Bruins vs. Wild PREVIEW: Back to Back Madness

NHL: Minnesota Wild at Boston Bruins

Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Hot off the heels of beating Pittsburgh, the Bruins face the Minnesota Wild on their home turf.

Just the Facts​

  • The Time: 3:30pm EST
  • The Place: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Place to Watch: NESN, TNT, truTV, MAX, SN360, TVAS
  • Place to Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub
  • An Opposing Viewpoint: Hockey Wilderness

Know Your Enemy​

  • The Wild are 34-22-4 this season, which is good for 72 points, and 3rd in the Central Division standings.
  • The Wild are run as of right now by two players; Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprisov; both players have 52 points. Kaprisov however, is doing it in only 37 games played! Imagine, more than one player on a team contributing to it’s success!
  • Kaprisov leads the Wild in scoring with 23 goals in 37 games, but Marco Rossi and Matt Boldy are hot on his heels. They both have 21 goals in 60 games.
  • Filip Gustavsson has been the backbone of the Wild’s net, though recently they’ve been cycling through him and Marc-Andre Fleury. Gustavsson has a .912 SV% on 39 starts, and MAF has a .904 SV% in 19 starts.

Game Preview​


The intersection of “it’s so over” and “we’re so back” has never been so close for Boston fans.

After a 5 game losing streak in which the only positive you could take from it is David Pastrnak is in fact still Him, the Bruins finally got off the hump against the Penguins yesterday. So naturally the loins gird a bit at the idea of facing Minnesota, a team that’s been clicking away with some nice quiet 5-2 wins here and there throughout the season, barring of course the games Marc-Andre Fleury starts to feel very, very old. There’s a hesitancy to assume that Boston stands much of a chance, right?

Well, Minny sure would like that to be the case, because recently they’ve been getting killed.

The Wild are without a lot of the talent that makes them good; Kaprisov’s hurt, Joel Eriksson Ek is hurt, they just traded for Gustav Nyquist with the Preds on account of their issues at forward, and they’re currently nursing a 3 game losing streak to Detroit, Utah, and Colorado; the Red Wings and Avalanche game featuring a truly disastrous sequence of events in which the Wild simply allowed the other team to score multiple goals unanswered.

In spite of all their success, the Wild are just as frazzled as Boston is right now.

So what needs to be done to defeat them? Well, if there’s anything that’s worked so far over this break, it’s making sure David Pastrnak has the room necessary to make his magic happen; he’s been dragging this team by the nose hairs to something, anything, resembling respectability for weeks now, and letting him cook is paramount. Create lanes for him to shoot and pass, make as much space as you can. After that? It’s all about who wants to join in. Marchand’s injury is minor but will likely keep him out of this game, and so that leaves a boatload of players who need to make something, anything out of their efforts right now. Some of them are expecting to not be wearing a Bruins sweater by the end of the week, so if they want to be on teams that have a more realistic shot to the playoffs, they need to get their ass in gear and now.

Also, and I’m really holding out on hope that he’s just following the career trend of his agent-mate William Nylander, if Swayman plays tonight, they’re gonna need him to play better than he’s been. Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi are still here. Mats Zuccarello and Frederick Gaudreau are doing pretty well themselves. This defense can only be trusted with the bare minimum and sometimes not even that. They’re gonna need saves, full stop.

Otherwise, one thing they absolutely should try taking advantage of is their absolutely atrocious penalty kill, which currently sits at 31st overall in the league. Even with a power play as miserable as Boston’s is, you must make the most of any and all opportunities of an even more dead corpse of special teams that heaves your way.

Either way, three games to go before the deadline. Let’s see how the NHL morphs and shifts around us, and let’s watch the B’s put the Wild in a potential existential crisis!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...view-tv-radio-times-nhl-hockey-trade-deadline
 
Bruins @ Penguins RECAP: Bruins survive in 3-2 WIN!

NHL: Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

It wasn’t pretty, but Boston managed to take advantage of Pittsburgh’s dysfunction to break their losing streak!

First Period​


The Bruins started out great! With a solid passing breakout giving David Pastrnak nothing but time and space to bring Alex Nedelkjovic to the cleaners, putting the Bruins up 1-0!

Then, Mason Lohrei managed to pot home a goal a missile of a shot after a pretty passing play from Pastrnak, Zacha, and Geekie; and on the power play, no less! 2-0 Bruins!

Playing the Penguins feels like the ultimate get-right game right now.

No further scoring, and we move on to the middle frame!

Second Period​


Johnny Beecher tripped Rickard Rakell, then they killed the ensuing penalty. Good for them!

Other than that? Nada. Let’s go to the third.

Third Period​


Things really felt like they were headed for a nice, even win...and then the power play happened.

I really don’t care for the Bruins’ power play. Bruins still up 2-1.

Thankfully, as time wound down and the Pens pulled their goaltender on a late power play, Charlie Coyle made a quick play to seal things up with a nice bow and pop home an empty netter! 3-1 Bruins!

There, now all we have to do is actually kill this penalty and-

-...win the game 3-2, I guess.

Bruins win 3-2 over the Pittsburgh Penguins!​

Game Notes​

  • Your TOI leader tonight was Brandon Carlo, who played 25:27 total!
  • This was a win the Bruins needed. Not just because it broke a disastrously long losing streak, but it critically showed that they can in fact hold a lead just enough to survive a late-game surge, something that had been a major problem coming into this game. It’s not a 100% fixed issue, and today they’re gonna be playing a team that’s a lot better than the Penguins, but it’s a start, and that’s important.
  • Brandon Carlo played a crapton of minutes tonight, and I thought he did pretty good! I still think he absolutely needs somebody to do most of the zone exit stuff for him because he super does not like doing it, but tonight he showed some excellent work tonight in protecting his goaltender. Full credit for that fella.
  • David Pastrnak’s point streak is now at 17 games and 33 points over that stretch on one of the worst offenses in the NHL at the moment, bringing him into 7th place overall on the team’s history in that particular metric, beaten only by Phil Kessel, Adam Oates, Ray Bourque, Bobby Orr, Bill Cowley, and Bronco Horvath. If I hear anything about him and turnovers ever again while this team is as inept at offense without his direct input I will attain the legal authority to throw you out of a window for lack of puck knowledge. Sitting there and whining about “DEEEFENSE!!1!” on a team that can’t score is a textbook example in somehow missing a forest fire for all the trees and heat.
  • I dunno what to tell you about the power play, man. They got one, and so did Pittsburgh. Penalty Kill actually did very well, having been tasked with killing a boatload of penalties early in the game and then later on in the third, only giving one up one goal to Rickard Rakell...assuming you don’t count the short-handed chance, of course.
  • While they aren’t paying him the sun and the moon and thus expectations of him are much, much lower than his partner in net, Joonas Korpisalo still needed a game like this and badly. The last time he played with anything resembling frequency he had three games under .900 in SV% by the time the final horn was blown, and last night he finished with a .939 SV%. Good work on his part, I hope to see him take some more starts as the season progresses against teams at or around Pittsburgh’s caliber.
  • Three more games until the deadline.

The Bruins play today against the Minnesota Wild! You can read our preview when it goes up at 7am. That game drops the puck at 3:30pm EST.

See you there!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...astrnak-point-streak-brandon-carlo-nhl-hockey
 
Preview: It’s crunch time for the Bruins as Nashville rolls in

NHL: Boston Bruins at Nashville Predators

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

With the Deadline looming, Boston plays the Predators in their home barn with the hope of getting better by Friday.

Just the Facts​


When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: TD Garden — Boston, Mass.

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

An Opposing Viewpoint: On The Forecheck

Know Your Enemy​

  • Nashville has a record of 21-32-7, have 49PTS in the standings, and are 7th in Central Division
  • Team Leaders: Filip Forsberg: 22G-32A-54PTS; Jonathan Marchessault: 18G-27A-45PTS; Roman Josi: 9G-29A-38PTS
  • Goaltenders: Juuse Saros: 13-25-6, 2.96 GAA, .898 save percentage; Justus Annunen: 13-9-0, 3.21 GAA, .888 save percentage

Game Notes​

  • The Boston Bruins will look to bounce back, yet again, against a struggling Nashville Predators’ team tonight at the TD Garden. The Bruins split their back-to-back weekend, but are coming off a 1-0 loss on Sunday as the playoff race continues to tighten and injuries pile up.
  • As the Bruins were off yesterday, there is no update on the team’s latest injury as Brad Marchand was out of the lineup on Sunday due to an upper-body injury from the Pittsburgh game from Pierre-Olivier Joseph’s hit on him at the boards. There is also no update to any of the other injuries now plaguing this team.
  • The Predators are 1-4-0 in their last five games. They are on a two-game losing streak. The Predators last played on Sunday when they were shut out 4-0 by the New York Rangers.
  • The win by the Rangers did help the Bruins as they are in a three-way tie with the Ottawa Senators with 64 points, all two points out of the last wild card spot. Then three teams are close behind with 63, 62 and 61 points. David Pastrnak’s point streak came to an end with the Bruins’ 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. It will stand at 17 games.
  • For Nashville. Colton Sissons has four points with three assists and one goal in the last five games.
  • Do the Bruins roll with Jeremy Swayman or Joonas Korpisalo tonight? Swayman is 0-3-2 in his last five starts, allowing 15 goals. Korpisalo is 3-2-0 in his last five starts with 11 goals against.
  • Head-to-head, the Bruins are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and the Predators are 3-7-0 in that time.
  • See ya tonight!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...preview-nhl-hockey-juuse-saros-david-pastrnak
 
Recap: Bruins run out of steam, fall 6-3 to Predators

Nashville Predators v Boston Bruins

Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images

Not great.

The Boston Bruins battled back despite a rough start, but couldn’t sustain offensive pressure as the team fell 6-3 to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at the TD Garden.

The loss drops the Bruins to 1-5-2 in their last eight games.

“The start of the game, we mismanaged pucks,” Interim head coach Joe Sacco said. “We gave the puck to them too much in the first period.”

“We fell behind, but we battle back in the third period to tie the game up,” he said. “You feel the energy in the building, the crowd and then just to not be able to sustain any momentum.”

The Predators took an early lead, taking advantage of game mismanagement by the Bruins and a lackluster offensive period where the Bruins only had five shots on net.

The Bruins opened the scoring, as been the case this season, their opponent answered back with a quick goal. The Predators would do the same in the second period, regaining their lead under 90 seconds after Jordan Oesterle netted his first goal as a Bruin to tie the game.

Pavel Zacha’s line helped the Bruins sustain some offensive momentum to start the third and was rewarded with Morgan Geekie blasting a one-timer into the netting to tie things up at 3-3.

But again, as was the story of this game, Nashville got the go-ahead following poor execution to make a clear and allow Michael McCarron to find Jonathan Marchessault for a quick shot past Jeremy Swayman.

“I feel like that’s kind of happened all season for us, you know, we’ll gain some momentum and then a sloppy play, turnovers and then the puck ends up in the back of the net,” Oesterle said. “Then we lose momentum and are back chasing the game. It’s tough playing that way.”

A minute later, Ryan O’Reilly added his second goal of the night and cushioned Nashville’s lead before Mark Jankowski soldified the Predators’ win with an empty-netter.

Here are the game’s highlights:

First period:

After winning a battle behind the net, Elias Lindholm sent a short pass to Charlie Coyle out front where he lifted a snap shot past Juuse Saros’ glove at 4:25 of the first period. 1-0 Bruins.

Unattended, Tommy Novak skated into the slot to put a wrist shot past Swayman at 5:32 of the first period. 1-1 game.

Luke Evangelista slid a pass over to Ryan O’Reilly where he put a snap shot top shelf past Swayman’s blocker at 11:33 of the first period. 2-1 Predators.

Second period:

Jordan Oesterle’s long shot beats Saros’ left skate with bodies out front to tie the game at 5:08 of the second period. 2-2 game.

Off a pass from O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos blasted a one-timer past Swayman from low inside the left-wing circle at 6:25 of the second period. 3-2 Predators. That tally made for two goals this game from the Predators scoring fast after the Bruins scored.

Third period:

Pavel Zacha’s line found some sustained offensive-zone time which allowed Zacha to find Morgan Geekie at the back door for a one-timer past Saros at 5:35 of the third period. 3-3 game. But the Bruins wouldn’t be able to sustain that offense for long.

Michael McCarron backhanded a pass to Jonathan Marchessault out front for a quick snap shot past Swayman’s glove at 8:28 of the third period. 4-3 Predators.

The Bruins were unable to clear. After Nashville stole the puck, O’Reilly batted down a pass from Stamkos to beat Swayman’s blocker at 9:31 of the third period. 5-3 Predators.

Mark Jankowski scored an empty-net goal at 17:53 of the third period. Final score: 6-3 Predators.

Game notes​

  • Sacco said it perfect during his press conference. The Bruins just initially fell behind due to bad puck management, poorly executed their game after goals and couldn’t sustain pressure in the third period.
  • The loss follows the team trading Trent Frederic in the afternoon. Sacco said Frederic was a “great character guy” and wished him the best. Sacco said he doesn’t know if it had an effect on the team, as he stated the team knows it has work to do and this is the business side of the game.
  • The Bruins are still two points out of the wild card race, but still have more games played than those teams that have now crept higher.
  • Charlie Coyle said he had a chance to text Trent Frederic after he was traded, saying Frederic is probably still in shock with what happened. “It stinks that it happens, part of business, unfortunately,” Coyle said. “He’s been such a good friend, teammate, player, I could go on and on, but it wouldn’t do justice right now.”
  • Postgame, David Pastrnak reiterated the effect of losing momentum allowing quick goals. “Those goals we scored was, you know, tying goals in a tight game that we could grab the momentum after our goals,” Pastrnak said. “Unfortunately it went the other way and it’s not the first time that happened this season. So it’s definitely a momentum killer and we can win hockey games like this.”
  • The Bruins will hit the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday at 7 p.m.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...-out-of-steam-fall-6-3-to-nashville-predators
 
Morning Skate: Waiting

Boston Bruins v Minnesota Wild

Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images

And waiting.

Well that sure was a hockey game last night, wasn’t it?

As Angelina covered, the B’s fell to Nashville, 6-3, in pretty uninspiring fashion.

With Trent Frederic already moved and Brad Marchand deemed week-to-week (and seemingly a question to return at all this season), the writing on the wall is becoming clearer by the day for this team.

Time to sell!

What that looks like remains to be seen, of course.

There are the obvious candidates (Justin Brazeau), the “maybe” candidates (Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle), and then there’s always some kind of random outsider.

Given that speculation is likely to heat up today and heading into tomorrow, I wanted to put up a Public Skate to give people space to talk about whatever else comes up.

So...discuss!

As a reminder, the B’s are back at it in Carolina tomorrow night, followed by a trip to Tampa and a visit from the Panthers.

This should be fun!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2025/3/5/24378324/morning-skate-waiting-bruins-trade-deadline
 
Preview: Bruins limp into Raleigh for pre-deadline finale

Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes

Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images

This should be fun.

Just the facts​


When: Tonight, 7 PM

Where: Lenovo Center - Raleigh, NC

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing perspective: Canes Country

Know your enemy​

  • 36-22-4, 76PTS, 2nd in the Metropolitan Division
  • Mikko Rantanen (for now?): 27G-43A-70PTS; Sebastian Aho: 23G-36A-59PTS; Seth Jarvis: 23G-23A-46PTS
  • Pyotr Kochetkov: 22-11-3, 2.49 GAA, .903 save percentage

Game notes​

  • Last game before the trade deadline! There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding both of these teams right now, with the Bruins still expected to sell some players and the Hurricanes potentially moving Mikko Rantanen.
  • The B’s made a series of roster moves yesterday, recalling Patrick Brown, Riley Tufte, Ian Mitchell, and Vinni Lettieri (emergency basis) from Providence. They sent Georgii Merkulov and Jeffrey Viel in the other direction.
  • This is the second meeting of the season between these two teams, with the Bruins getting pasted in Carolina, 8-2, back on Halloween. In hindsight, that was probably one of the early indicators of “huh, this season might not go well.”
  • Former Bruin Taylor Hall scored his first goal with the Hurricanes four games ago, finding the back of the net against Buffalo. He has just that one goal plus one assist in 12 games with Carolina.
  • For a team expected to contend for a Stanley Cup, Carolina’s got a pretty bad power play — 24th in the league; however, their PK is excellent, second-best in the league at 83.7%.

See ya tonight!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ins-limp-into-raleigh-for-pre-deadline-finale
 
Bruins @ Canes RECAP: Defensive gaffes doom Boston in 3-2 LOSS

Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The deadline looms and this game seemed to make it clear change is necessary.

Whatever happens next is in the hands of Don Sweeney.

First Period​


Things began with a short-handed goal, making sure the Bruins did in fact keep their lead in that particular category of gifts in the NHL, as Sebastian Aho made short work of the hapless power play. Korpisalo didn’t have a prayer. 1-0 Canes.

Then, the Bruins had themselves a significant period of time in front of the Canes’ goaltender, and finally, Morgan Geekie picked up a rebound and put it straight into the net! 1-1 Everybody!

No further scoring, and we head to the 2nd period.

2nd Period​


The only scoring of this period was done by Brent Burns, who was able to squeak a shot that either clipped Vinni Lettieri or just had a fated trajectory for the back of the net, and the Canes took a 2-1 lead.

No further scoring, and onwards we go.

3rd Period​


Things started with Morgan Geekie tying up the game off of a strong pass by David Pastrnak, and he slams it past Kochetkov! 2-2 Everybody!

Then...A mere minute and change left in the game and well...

sigh

Just show the damn clip.

Bruins lose 3-2 to the Hurricanes.

Game Notes​

  • Your TOI Leader was Nikita Zadorov, who logged 21:55.
  • This was actually a pretty loose game, all things considered. The Bruins ended up actually outshooting the Canes and largely controlling the game in a way they hadn’t been in a good long while, but the same mistakes on the power play and the same absolutely boneheaded mistakes from their defense killed them the same way it’s killed them throughout this last rough stretch of games. Otherwise, both sides traded time in each other’s end, and maaaybe there was a chance for an OT winner, had of course...
  • ...Nikita Zadorov not actually physically handed the game to the Carolina Hurricanes. Look, there is plenty of time for Zadorov to end up in a position on this team where he can be acceptable, if not exceptional. But stuff like that turnover directly to one of the most skilled and dangerous Canes out there at any given time? That’s the kind of thing that makes people mad he was acquired in the first place. If he’s gonna be the defactor 1a/1b defender while Mac and Hampus are out,
  • Don, I don’t think I have to overstate this or anything, but this forward corps away from David Pastrnak is in dire straits. Morgan Geekie had a great night, but a lot of the stuff that happened for him tonight that was good happened because Pasta was there to facilitate it in some fashion. The rest of this squad is slow, completely terrified to take a shot themselves, or wildly overthinking it, as noted by the multiple 2-on-1s they were able to pull out of the Canes, which ultimately ended in no goals scored on any such play. They. Need. Help. Go get it.
  • Boston’s power play was of course, no real danger to the Hurricanes, who usually has a pretty stout PK, but man it’s real frustrating for them to keep giving up goals short handed like this. Even good players seem to lose their minds when faced with the prospect of having more ice to play with out there, and it’s killing their momentum, what little of it they generate.
  • Joonas Korpisalo was...fine. I don’t love the Brent Burns goal whatsoever, but two of the three goals the Canes scored tonight were 90% the fault of a player making an absolutely unconscionable decision in front of him, and the rest of the way he played pretty well otherwise. That said, in those moments of panic, rising above it counts for something...and an .870 SV% against a team that didn’t concern itself with a whole lot of shooting is a performance to improve upon.
  • Whatever happens after this, especially with players like Brandon Carlo or god forbid, Brad Marchand being bandied around as potential trade targets, it’s really starting to feel like the winds of change are blowing against this team; threatening to knock it over. If Don is willing, and it seems like he’s been so, he can go and make this team very different if he really chooses to. It will hurt, it will hurt bad, and the version of this team you see after the deadline will likely bring you some of the worst hockey you’ve seen since the early 2000’s, but it will be necessary. If not? We wait till the summer for salvation; it’s not coming in-season from Providence, and it’s not coming from overproducing good years. Help will only come if you go and get it.

Boston will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, but as Dan made it clear, we’re now turning our undivided attention towards the trade deadline, which ends at 3pm EST tomorrow afternoon. As always, trades will likely be trickling in after that time, so please be ready for a chaotic, wild day.

We’ll see you there!
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...arolina-nhl-hockey-seth-jarvis-nikita-zadorov
 
Report: Brandon Carlo moved to Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 6-4

Photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

The Stalwart, Stay-at-Home guy moves north to Toronto

Well, change has finally come for the Boston Bruins, hot off the heels of Brad Marchand being traded to the Panthers.

Chris Johnston of SportsNet reported in the middle of everyone losing their minds that the Bruins will be moving on from defenseman Brandon Carlo, as they’ve traded him to the Maple Leafs.

This is the first trade with the Leafs the Bruins have made since 2011, when they acquired defenseman Tomas Kaberle from Toronto.


The #leafs are getting Brandon Carlo.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 7, 2025​
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The return is complicated, with the trade reportedly involving the Pittsburgh Penguins as well.


Still piecing together the details but so far:

To #LeafsForever:
D Brandon Carlo

To #NHLBruins:
TOR 1st Round Pick
Fraser Minten

To #LetsGoPens:
Conor Timmins
Connor Dewar

Believe there is retention involved as well.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 7, 2025​
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The Leafs don’t have a first-round pick this year by virtue of the Jake McCabe trade, so that first would be in 2026 at the earliest.

Minten was the Leafs’ second-round pick in 2022, chosen 38th overall. He’s a 20-year-old center who checks in at 6’ 2”, 194 pounds.

Minten has played in 15 games for the Leafs this season, recording two goals and two assists.

Carlo was first drafted by the Bruins back in 2015 in the 2nd round, and acquitted himself wonderfully as the 2nd pairing stay at home guy for years.

While he never quite moved beyond that role, it’s a role you definitely need on any successful team, and the Bruins’ deficiencies were doing him no favors in this car crash of a year.

We wish Brandon all the best with the Leafs, and thank him for everything he’s done as a Bruin.
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Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2025/3/7/24380266/report-brandon-carlo-moved-to-maple-leafs
 
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