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[Boston Bruins]

2025-26 WJC Day 1 RECAP: Skill Floor Readjustment

Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF

This tournament’s gonna be wild. I can feel it.

Game 1: Sweden gets a scare, wins 3-2 anyway against Slovakia​

Tre Kronor decided they were gonna wake their fans up by giving them a serious spooking.

Game Notes​

• To be fair to Sweden, they had built a pretty solid lead on Slovakia before getting spooked, and largely controlled the game at all strengths, and I don’t know if there was necessarily any doubt that they would lose…but man they made it as painful a process as you could get. One Slovak goal was just a rocket…but Slovakia’s 2nd goal? That was a total breakdown that a better team could take ample advantage of. Granted, I do not think Switzerland is going to be that team, but given how this tournament has begun and the multitude of goals being scored, this is gonna be something the Swedes need to clean up before they run into another competitive squad.
• Slovakia put up a grand old fight, and as always is set to be difficult in some capacity…but man this Pradel kid just isn’t Sam Urban. His five hole game is just not up to the task yet. Oh, and you gotta play Germany who appears to be a lot more energetic than they’ve been in years past. Have fun with that!

Game 2: Finns flush Danes in 6-2 drubbing​

Thank you for coming, Denmark!

Game Notes​

• Once again Finland showed they are a nightmare when properly on their horse for non-traditional powers, and they got scoring from just about everywhere in their lineup. If you wanted a platonic ideal of what they want to do, you couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner than Denmark. They were especially lethal in using their forwards on rebound chances, which better teams are gonna have to watch out for; Leijonat is gonna be in your face all damn tourney if they get the chance.
• That said…Denmark got 2 goals on 10 shots on goal. That was probably a heralding of the skill floor of this tournament maybe being a little higher than it’s been in years past. Hell, you could maybe make the case that Finland probably should’ve shut them out if they were really so dominant. But they’ve already gone on their way to making my prediction look bad, so sail on you crazy Danes.

Game 3: United States and Germany have the second fastest boat race of the day, States win 6-3​

Team USA decided to do a little remixing of their usual theme and the Germans decided they wanted to be taken seriously for about 35 minutes.

Game Notes​

• In previous years, the US would’ve likely started with the Germans keeping pace before pulling away fully, so I’m glad they at least decided to do all their hero hockey in the 2nd half of the 2nd period rather than get everyone raising an eyebrow heading into the 3rd. They did however spend a good portion of said second period begging the Germans to tie or even take the lead in this game given how poorly they played it, and it must have resulted in an animated 2nd intermission speech, because they locked that game down tight afterwards. They’re still the US, warts and all.
  • Also I’m just gonna say it can we lock down these uniforms and the aways especially as the official uniform of USA hockey forever? This is by far the best look they’ve ever had. I can’t believe they successfully tricked Nike into giving them these back.
  • COLE EISERMAN SCORED ESSEX COUNTY IS ONCE AGAIN BACK ON TOP BAY BEEEEEEEEE-
• Germany’s name game this year is actually incredible. Timo Kose is already primo “I am a hockey player or bassist for Helloween” naming, but Lenny Boos? Simon Seidl? Just fantastic. Zee Germans showed a lot of fight in this game, even as the US suddenly locked things down they never stopped trying to crack the American’s defense for something, anything, to get them back into it. I think they’ll make life very uninviting for the rest of the middle powers of this tournament if this keeps up.

Game 4: Czechia and Canada have a certified classic. Canada wins 7-5​

If you gotta go on last, you may as well perform like headliners.

Game Notes​

• Canada got a good look at what it means when you have competition outside your southern neighbor, and to their credit, they met that moment with aplomb. They recognized instantly that this was not going to be a game in which backchecking was going to be a major factor, and turned their forecheck up to 11 and let their skill guys go wild. It’s still early, but it looks like Canada is rounding back into the form their fans should expect of them rather than just assume they will have from having the sweater on their backs.
  • Zayne Parekh is going to be rode like a horse to much of this tournament if his TOI keeps up like this. Kid played 22:27 and came away with 2 goals. He’s the straw stirring the drink in a lot of shifts, and made Canada so much better for his inclusion.
• Czechia’s going to be a tough beat, man. They brought a level of exciting hockey beyond even what I initially expected for them, and I usually expect a fun game when I watch the Czechs. They outshot Canada throughout the entire game, they got some quality chances, and they never let being down affect them. The rematch of this game in the Quarters is gonna be appointment viewing.

Bruins on Day 1’s performance:​

Team USA​

• Will Zellers and James Hagens are interesting because they’re the first time in awhile that Bruins prospects are expected to medal and also be a major part of their respective national team’s performance, and to both of their credits? They did beautifully. Zellers came away from their game against Germany with 3 points, and Hagens came away with an Assist; though that only tells some of the story as he was a demon of a forechecker; just an absolute stunner of a player.

Upcoming Games:​

Slovakia vs. Germany​

Previously, I’d have told you that this is a game you could maybe consider skipping.

Now? Given how Germany played against the US? I’m very interested in seeing if they make Slovakia’s life a little harder than it should be. The Slovaks had to do a lot just to scare the Swedes, and I dunno if they want to tussle with a group of guys who seem disinterested in letting any score get them down right now.

Latvia vs. Canada​

So hey you know how I was down on Canada in the primer? You wanna know why I was down on them?

Because Latvia won this game last year. A country for less than 1% of it’s populace plays beat you. A country with less registered players than Newfoundland and Labrador beat you.

It was close, they got a ton of shots, but a vast majority of them were easy. Meanwhile Latvia was up Canada’s nose all game. This year’s gotta be different. If you wanna be taken seriously as a number one in the world, this is the game you need to have a moderately-fought 7-1 win. You gotta show me that last year’s win was a fluke.

You want that crown back? You want that gold medal? Show me a beatdown. That’s what this should be, after all.

Meanwhile, Latvia! Great of you to join us. Think you can scare Canada again? Because this time Canada isn’t playing around! You’d better do whatever you can to lock that offense down because oh buddy are they scary this year!

USA vs. Switzerland​

The US maybe started this tournament a little looser than they’d like, so a game against Switzerland is more than likely the ticket to getting them back into proper form. The Swiss are coming into this tournament in real danger of meeting Denmark at the end of it to see who gets to stay, and they gotta prove quickly that they can avoid that fate if they play well here.

I don’t expect a miracle, but I certainly expect a spirited showing…for the most part.

Will Zellers and James Hagens will be playing in this contest

Denmark vs. Czechia​

Denmark I really hope you’re ready for another 6-2 asskicking because that’s probably what you’re getting.

Recommended Game: Slovakia vs. Germany​

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...5-26-wjc-day-1-recap-skill-floor-readjustment

 

[Boston Bruins]

2026 WJC Day 2 RECAP: Closer than it should be

Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF

Some of the higher powers of this tournament decided they wanted to scare the living daylights out of their fanbases on Day 2.

Game 1: Germany disappoints in 4-1 loss to Slovakia​

You got my hopes up for that?

Game Notes​

• It was the Tomas Chrenko show tonight as the young man from Slovakia came away with a hat trick against Germany. Also a pretty good day for Adam Nemec who got primary assists on two of his goals.
• This game was otherwise pretty even in shots, the Germans had a bad first period but roared back to even things out, the problem was in net. Michal Pradel is a helluva lot better than either of Germany’s goalies, and the Slovaks were not exactly struggling to get shots through Germany even if they were tied up with German players. This may end up a much longer tournament for Germany than I anticipated.
• Dustin Willhoft might end up with a point in every game Germany plays and Germany will still play like hot dog water. Like ash in your mouth.

Game 2: Canada is put into a position to survive Latvia again. This time they do it in 2-1 OT winner.​

You are so lucky Team USA looked just as bad today.

Game Notes​

• I will give Latvia all the credit in the world. They kept pace with Canada, something I did not think was feasible for them, Nils Maurins took up the reins in net and kept this game as close as humanly possible, they worked like dogs to get their first and only goal and when they got it they got it in the most clutch moment possible. This is why people love watching Latvia in these tournaments, they always find the drama of the sport through dogged effort. Full marks, didn’t get the win, but bodes well for when they play fellow middle powers.
• SO! Canada! I said you were supposed to blow this team out of the water! By all accounts, you probably should’ve! You did win, and that does count for something, but that was a sloppy effort. You’re not in any real danger yet, but I want you think carefully about how that net-front defense is gonna look when it plays Team Finland, because if you bring that effort to the Finns you’re gonna be in trouble.
  • Another 23 minute night for Zayne Parekh and frankly he could’ve had more with how much they relied on him.

Game 3: Team USA plays like ass, beats Switzerland 2-1 anyway.​

Oh don’t you worry Eagleland you’re getting some of this too.

Game Notes​

• This was exactly the kind of game Switzerland likes playing; low event, high defense, strong fundamentals game…and it took advantage of the United States deciding to play some of their worst hockey imaginable. Passing was getting sloppy, defensive zone coverage became lackadaisical, players lost their man constantly, and meanwhile all Switzerland had to do was be patient. Unfortunately for them, the US is also mind-bendingly talented, so that couldn’t quite save them. But they should be able to pull at least a couple of decent games out of that if they can score more than once a game.
• Team USA should be thanking their lucky stars that Will Zellers and James Hagens are putting their efforts towards getting shots going the right way, because they’re officially out of easy games after this one. Slovakia and Sweden are already difficult games and given the history Slovakia and the States have recently, this should be considered a one-off performance unless they too want to know what a scare really looks like.

Game 4: Denmark is put in the device once again in 7-2 beatdown by Czechia​

Grant the Danes the grace to “Sim to End”.

Game Notes​

• I dunno what to tell you man. Czechia is just such a better team all around than Denmark, as Denmark usually finds out in this tournament. 4 players had 2 point nights, Tomas Galvas had 3, I think maybe 4 dressed skaters for the Czechs failed to obtain a point and even then it never felt particularly close. This was a bloodletting that unfortunately the IIHF tournaments still have sometimes.
• I will give the Danes endless credit that they’ve yet to be shut out in this tourney, which previously was almost a guarantee. I don’t think it’ll save them in the long run, but I am glad they are capable of keeping their pride.

Bruins on Day 2:​

Will Zellers and James Hagens came away with points on Team USA’s win over Team Switzerland! Zellers had the opening goal, and James Hagens had the primary assist on Brodie Ziemer’s game winner!

Games Today​

Switzerland vs. Sweden​

If the Swiss can keep up the low-event style of game and impart it on Sweden, then they have as good a chance as any to beat the Swedes; especially given how haphazardly Sweden won their first game. If the Swedes don’t fall for it however, Switzerland is gonna need to match this team’s firepower and I just don’t think they have the necessary bodies.

Finland vs. Latvia​

The lovable Latvian Underdogs vs. the fierce Finns, who busted up Denmark to start the tourney. Last time Latvia gave Canada a scare they had to follow it up with another team that was starting the tournament well and it didn’t go nearly as smoothly. I don’t expect miracles here, but if any team can give a traditional power in this tournament a fright, then it’s in maroon and white.

Game of the Day: I flipped a coin and Finland/Latvia came up, so that one.​

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...2026-wjc-day-2-recap-closer-than-it-should-be

 

[Boston Bruins]

Morning Skate: West

Welcome to a new week, folks!

I find myself still firmly in that “what day is it?” post-Christmas haze, so I didn’t realize the Bruins were playing in Calgary tonight until this morning.

We won’t have a full preview for you, but consider this a mini-preview and place to gather until the Public Skate.

The Flames aren’t having a great year, currently sitting at 7th in the Pacific Division.

However, they’ve been on a decent run of late, winning three of four and posting a 7-3-0 mark in their last ten games.

They’ve also been much better at home (10-5-2) than on the road this season, so this should be a good test for the Bruins.

Those Bruins, as you’re well aware, are in a tailspin, losing five games in a row and plummeting from near the top of the Atlantic to the third-worst points figure in the Eastern Conference.

The fall is particularly dramatic due to the congested nature of the standings at the moment, but the Bruins have been playing a bad brand of hockey for the past couple of weeks.

In case you missed it, the B’s activated both Matej Blumel and Michael Callahan from injured reserve on Sunday, then sent both to Providence.

In more positive news (yes, there is some good news), Will Zellers is opening eyes at the World Junior Championship in Minnesota, with one observer calling him “a two-way force” for the USA.

See? It’s not all bad.

Elsewhere, the NHL is ramping up the hype machine for Friday night’s Winter Classic in Miami, with the Florida Panthers facing the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park, home of the Marlins.

While this will be a cool experience for Panthers fans, it seems like just about everyone else is over the outdoor games at this point.

To me, the NHL should focus on hosting outdoor games in more unique settings (like the Lake Tahoe game) instead of just trotting around to different MLB and NFL stadiums.

However, there are obvious logistical challenges to playing an outdoor game on some random frozen lake in Canada, so maybe we’re stuck with this set-up.

That’s my take for today.

What’s on tap for your Monday?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/morning-skate-open-threads/57637/morning-skate-west

 

[Boston Bruins]

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Flames

Welcome to Monday Night Hockey, folks!

Fresh off of a sound defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Bruins begin their Western Canada swing with a stop in Calgary.

These Western Canada road trips are usually good measuring sticks for East Coast teams, but the Bruins aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders at the moment.

(You could probably argue that they aren’t firing on any cylinders at the moment, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Bruins! Flames! 9 PM Eastern!

Discuss.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/gameday-open-threads/57634/public-skate-bruins-vs-flames

 

[Boston Bruins]

Morning Skate: Point

The bad news: the Bruins lost again.

The good news: at least they got a point this time?

The B’s dropped their sixth game in a row last night, losing to Calgary 2-1 in overtime.

Connor Zary scored a PPG two minutes into OT to give Calgary the win, a goal that was some sort of bouncy, pinball-type goal that looked like it went off of Hampus Lindholm before going through Jeremy Swayman.

Andrew Peeke, ramping up his Rocket Richard campaign, scored the lone goal for the Bruins midway through the first period, and that was that.

In case you chose to go to sleep instead of tuning into this game, let’s see what some of our fearless commenters had to say about the contest:

• “A point from that garbage fire is like finding an unopened wendys burger that two squirrels are fighting over.”
• “Just awful.”
• “Uninspiring hockey from both teams.”
• “I’d rather get a root canal than continue to watch this slog fest.”
• “Horrid.”
• “Take all transmissions of this game out into an oil field and bury it.”
• “This has overall been one of the worst played, least entertaining games I’ve seen in a long time.”

If I were more creative, it would be fun to create a movie trailer with some of these reviews cut in with highlights (lowlights?) of the game, but those creative days are behind me.

However, you get the point: this was a bad game played by teams that are playing bad hockey at the moment, with the Bruins somehow slightly worse.

Good times around here as 2025 rolls to a close.

The B’s will be off today before a New Year’s Eve nightcap against the Oilers in Edmonton.

If you’d like to look to the future, things may not be as bleak: James Hagens and Will Zellers had standout games for the United States in their WJC win over Slovakia, with Hagens scoring twice and Zellers adding a goal (the eventual game-winner) and an assist.

So…not all bad. Chin up! The season is just about half over.

What’s on tap for today?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/morning-skate-open-threads/57652/morning-skate-point

 

[Boston Bruins]

2026 WJC Day 3 & 4 RECAPVAGANZA: Stages Set

Hi! Sorry, I had an ear infection that wiped me out!

Anyway, here’s day 3 and 4!

2026 WJC Day 3: Scandinavian Supremacy​

Game 1: Sweden pulls themselves together in time to win 4-2​

Game Notes​

• Switzerland was in charge of this game for a stunning amount of time, which is both a credit to their system and their effort; they outshot the Swedes at just about every single period. It wasn’t quite enough to win them the game once Sweden started getting desperate, but I think they’ll manage to survive if they can stymy Germany’s attack today.
• Sweden I’m gonna be real with you if you don’t show up to your game against the US on Wednesday ready to work your butts off this is gonna be real bad for you.

Game 2: Latvia explodes into blood in 8-0 blowout at the hands of Finland​

Can you chill, Finland!?

Game Notes​

• Man! Finland sure is good! It would sure be a shame if suddenly all of that got thrown into doubt a day later!
• Chin up, Latvia. You’ll get a chance to redeem yourself against Denmark.

---

2026 WJC Day 4 RECAP: Drama and Demolition​

Game 1: Germany gets lost in Lapland as Sweden crushes them 8-1​

Game Notes​

• I think Sweden took Switzerland getting to lead for any point of time a little personally and took it out on the Germans, who were largely powerless to stop what Tre Kronor had to offer. Nine players in Yellow had two points by the end of it.
• Your “winnable” game is today, Germany. Please don’t triple shift the Koses and Willhoft, okay?

Game 2: Czechs stun Finland 2-1 in overtime thriller!​

Ah whoops.

Game Notes​

• The Czechs were actually keeping the Finns pinned down pretty well through the first 40 minutes after their initial goal, but the Finns absolutely smashed the pedal through the floor to make up their shot difference almost entirely in the third; dropping 16 on goal in a single period. As we all know, parking the bus only really works if you’re playing soccer. It was not necessarily a question of if, but rather when. Emil Hemming just got the moment. Either way, an absolute nailbiter for both sides. Naturally, OT had to come from something crazy.
  • Speaking of: ADAM ACTUAL JIRICEK. What a goal. Just an absolute highlight stealer.
• Finland struggling to get their offense going and then also giving up a straight up the gut pass to let the opponent score a highlight reeler on you is sure gonna cast some doubt on you going into that Canada game on Wednesday. We’ll see how you handle the pressure.
  • I wasn’t kidding about Rimpinen’s pad setup. They just do not do it like they do over in Europe. We gotta get some of that over here. I want a Bruins goalie to have a

Game 3: Team USA plays like hot ass and still wins 6-5.​

Why is it always Slovakia with you?

You’re lucky Boston said “yes” to Zellers and Hagens being here, America.

Game Notes​

• USA played this game like they were sleepwalking for two periods, and promptly woke the hell up for the middle frame. Team USA is talented enough to do that of course, but man that feels like something Sweden or Canada could take ample advantage of, especially since Canada appears to have no interest in screwing around.
• James Hagens got two goals in this one, finally allowing the US to pull away, and Will Zellers came away with an assist on Ryker Lee’s goal and the final USA tally. Given how their team played, they were sorely needed.
• Slovakia sure knows how to get their best out of playing the United States, huh. They could very easily get the States if they catch them playing like that again.

Game 4: Canada leaves Denmark’s corpse as a 9-1 warning.​

I can’t help but feel like Canada is trying to prove a point this tournament.

Game Notes​

• This was as thorough a bloodletting as you’ll ever see. Not a drop left; just meat and bone and sinew loosely held together after getting thrown from the shop in a Derecho of goalscoring and speed. Canada made it clear that it’s not letting up for anyone or anything now. Given how mortal the rest of the field looks, it looks like Canada has finally turned itself around…but we gotta see how they handle Finland first.
• Denmark, I sincerely wish you the best in the relegation round.

---

Games Today​

Game 1: Switzerland vs. Germany​

A middle Europe desperation brawl to see who can survive the longest after getting embarrassed badly in multiple games. Loser will almost certainly see Denmark for a date with relegation.

Game 2: Latvia vs. Denmark​

I think this is probably judgement day for the Danes, unless they manage to load Latvia up on Culvers before the game. You never know just how potent the flavor of the day will be.

---

Game of the day: Meh, pick one or watch both. You’re not doing anything important.​

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/world-juniors-wjc/57641/2026-wjc-day-3-4-recapvaganza-stages-set

 

[Boston Bruins]

Bruins RECAP: Boston gets hard dose of reality in 4-1 Loss

That dose is that the skill drop off between Boston and Buffalo is a lot steeper in Buffalo’s favor than in Boston’s.

1st Period​

Things started okay for the Bruins! After a faceoff in the neutral zone went for Boston, the B’s recovered the puck and gave it to David Pastrnak, who put a bullet past Luukkonen to get the Bruins on the board! 1-0 Bruins

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No further scoring, and we go to the 2nd period

2nd Period​

Things got off to a bad start when the Sabres only needed 3 minutes and change to not only tie it, but also take the lead off of a Ryan McLeod shot and a Peyton Krebs re-direct.

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Things got even worse with a Mattias Samuelsson goal that came off of a prolonged sequence where the Bruins just could not get out of the zone.

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The period ended with Boston down 3-1.

3rd Period​

The Bruins tried their best, but the Sabres got the last laugh with an Empty Netter.

View Link

Bruins lose 4-1.

Game Notes​

• Your TOI Leader was Charlie McAvoy, who played 24:22.
• I’ve said it before but it is really kind of bitterly funny that you can see the entire skill component of the Boston Bruins feeding each other for nearly identical point totals.
• I was going to save this for a larger analysis article but I think it’s time we rip the band-aid off and just come clean about the issue this team faces; the defense is absolute trash. Not necessarily as a corps, but as a unit; whole thing, regardless of player, of player archetype, of how long they’re out there, they all struggle mightily to leave their own zone, and it shows; especially when the other team forechecks with speed. The Sabres were able to pry open Boston’s backcheck like a tin can and feasted on Korpisalo with near-impunity, and they have nobody to blame but themselves and frankly, whoever is setting up this system for them. Either it doesn’t work, or they don’t have the horses to make this work.
• I feel like I need to once again remind everybody that is freaking out here that even if they had a bunch of buy-in at the beginning of this season: this was supposed to be how this year started. I’ll say it again; this is a team that was anticipated to be very bad and analytically is already pretty bad punching above it’s weight thanks to the game-warping talent it does have, and we should enjoy that when it works enough to win them a game! But the expectations need to be tempered. This team is deeply flawed and needs serious upgrading, and no amount of win streaks or positive play is going to deviate that. Eventually the bill is going to come due.
• It should come as no surprise that Joonas Korpisalo did not have a great time in net, partially because for large stretches of this game he was left effectively to himself. He finished the night with a .909 SV% on 33 shots.

---

Bruins are back at it on Monday as they kick off their Pacific Division tour with the Calgary Flames. That game is at 9pm.

We’ll see you there!

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...-boston-gets-hard-dose-of-reality-in-4-1-loss

 

[Boston Bruins]

2026 WJC Day 5 RECAP: Baltic Jubilation, Teutonic Humiliation

The middle-powers played today!

Game 1: Switzerland blanks Germany 4-0​

I think the Germans are in trouble.

Game Notes​

• The Swiss always come into these tournaments with an in-house style, a tough system, and if they happen to run into a team that’s going through confidence issues, they tend to immediately follow it up by turning into an Anaconda with problematic gold reserves. They kicked the Germans up and down the rink all night and there was so little for Germany to do.
• Germany should be very lucky that Russia is still in the IIHF’s bad graces because the alternative is that they might be Denmark. Terrifying thought for them. Either way, it’s their relegation to save themselves from. Let’s see if they manage to pull it together.

Game 2: Latvia and Denmark have a boat race of a game, Latvia wins 6-3​

Game Notes​

• Latvia is so much fun, man. They fight like dogs for every shift and in a position to succeed, they actually turn out to be talented enough to make their weaknesses look like charm. I adore this team even if I know what’s coming in the Quarters for them. Probably.
• Soooooo how about a meeting with Germany there, Denmark?

Games Today​

Game 1: Stoic Switzerland vs. See-Saw Slovakia​

Switzerland has played some low event, crushing games that has forced some of the best of this tournament to play like they’re actually still teenagers, and that is a credit to them. However, the Slovaks have had nothing but fun games ruined by the fact that they’ve only actually won one of them. With Tomas Chrenko quickly becoming a player to watch for Naši Chlapci, it’d be nice to see if they can survive long enough, and namely keep the bleeding staunched enough, to get another signature win.

Alternatively, the Swiss could let us all know that yes, that system is in fact a black hole, and even the fun teams can get sucked into it.

Game 2: Czechs and Latvians riding high​

I mean, both teams might as well call each other winners today. Czechia beat Finland in style, and Latvia showed Denmark that they’re the baby of the bunch. Both squads are guaranteed a spot in the Quarterfinals, so they may as well just go and make a game of it.

Game 3: Team USA and Team Sweden signed up for Gut Check Time​

Is it possible for two teams to desperately need to shake some doubt off?

Team USA has been playing some absolutely ludicrous hockey, and not always in a good way; they’ve barely staved off losing using some excellent second periods where Bruins prospects (and some others I guess) made their mark and enforced a win where a loss would’ve been earned for their effort, and Team Sweden has been giving up some truly bizarre games where they win pretty handily, but only after a late surge.

Both sides need to find their game before Quarters starts, and now’s never been a better time to do it.

Game 4: Finland must face the Tournament favorite; Canada​

This one should be so much fun.

The Finns have played most of the tournament pretty easily…and then they played Czechia, and couldn’t quite beat them in OT. Now, they face a Canada squad that hasn’t lost, but has been a lot more porous than years past (not that it’s ever mattered). Who comes out of this the winner?

With any luck, the audience.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...-recap-baltic-jubilation-teutonic-humiliation

 

[Boston Bruins]

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Oilers

Welcome to the last Public Skate of 2025, folks!

You’ve skated publicly 80-something times (or close, I estimated) this year, and we always appreciate your participation.

Hopefully tonight’s game won’t inspire another round of searching the comments for ways to describe how bad the game was, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Tonight looks like a tough ask for the Bruins, as the Oilers are always hard to play against in Edmonton and they, as a team, have been playing better lately.

Of course, it would be a nice circular journey if the Bruins can end their losing streak against the team that started it 3,000 miles away earlier this month.

Everything is cyclical.

Anyways, it’s Bruins! Oilers! Finalize those resolutions!

Discuss.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/gameday-open-threads/57671/public-skate-bruins-vs-oilers

 

[Boston Bruins]

Preview: Bruins end 2025 against the Oilers

Just the facts​

• When: 9:30 PM
• Where: Rogers Place – Edmonton, AB
• How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Opposing perspective: Oilers Nation

Know your enemy​

• 20-14-6, 46PTS, 1st in the Pacific Division
• Connor McDavid: 24G-45A-69PTS; Leon Draisaitl: 20G-36A-56PTS; Evan Bouchard: 7G-30A-37PTS
• Calvin Pickard: 4-5-2, 3.69 GAA, .874 save percentage

Game notes​

• The Bruins, not exactly flying high to end the calendar year, will close out 2025 against Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who have won three of their last four and seven of their last ten.
• These two teams played about two weeks ago at TD Garden, with the Oilers winning 3-1; that loss started the Bruins’ current six-game losing streak.
• Newly acquired Tristan Jarry was injured in that game and hasn’t played since, with the Oilers turning to Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram. Ingram has been good when called upon, winning two of his last three starts (though he lost last time out in Calgary).
• While the Oilers have been better of late, they’re benefiting (somewhat) from a softer Pacific Division this season. While they sit atop the Pacific amidst a back-and-forth tussle with the Vegas Golden Knights, the West still seems like it’ll run through the Central this spring with Colorado (65PTS), Dallas (57PTS), and Minnesota (54PTS) all flying.
• The Oilers are a good team on home ice, posting a 10-3-3 record at the friendly confines of Rogers Place. I still wanted to call it Rexall Place, but I guess I’m old.
• McDavid, who is good, has 3G-8A-11PTS in his last five games. Those 11 “goal involvements,” to borrow a soccer term, are more than the ten goals the Bruins have scored as a team in their last five games.
• As we saw in the Calgary game, the Bruins have found themselves taking some bad penalties during this losing streak, particularly slashes, stick fouls, etc. With Edmonton boasting the league’s best power play, the B’s would be wise to keep their sticks to themselves and try to stay out of the box. Please.
• Little has changed for the B’s since the Calgary game: no new injuries, call-ups, etc. Status quo.
• With a 9:30(ish) PM start on the East Coast, this game should be near its end right around midnight. Let’s see if the Bruins can send you into 2026 on a high note.

See ya tonight!

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...68/preview-bruins-end-2025-against-the-oilers

 

[Boston Bruins]

WJC 2026 Quarterfinals PRIMER: When it Counts

Welcome back!

The World Juniors this year was, in a lot of ways, kind of like the NHL season so far; we know exactly one team is good. The rest? Shown flashes but ultimately extremely flawed.

Which has made naturally, for an extremely fun tournament. Very few games have felt noncompetitive and that’s only because one team in specific has been playing in them.

Speaking of which!

Relegation Round: Germany vs. Denmark​

I know what to expect from Denmark. Denmark is an edge case team at the moment until a prospect or two decides it’s Denmark time and they Dane all over the tournament. That’s just how it is for them. They appear, they get pummelled, they go back down to 1A, then they win that tournament and come back up. Until the Danish manage to put out another Oliver Bjorkstrand, that’s realistically the best they can hope for.

Germany though? I’m kind of disappointed in Germany.

Yes, they don’t have nearly the kind of prospect talent as Latvia or Switzerland right now, but they’re still pretty good at creating offense most of the time, or at least, they would’ve been…right up until the tournament started. It seems all their talent just didn’t gel in time to avoid this fate.

Given how both teams have played with similar levels of talent, I think it’s fair to say this will actually be a close game.

Quarterfinal Matchup 1: Sweden vs. Latvia​

Nobody works harder than Latvia. They’ve made that their brand. Even in losses that’s how they play their hockey, and given the disadvantages they usually have against other teams, that’s made up a lot of ground. Traditionally however, this is where the ride stops. Latvia’s talent gap gets too wide and the tournament ends and we all wish them a merry New Year and hope to see them again at Worlds and this year the Olympics.

This is what I would be saying, if the Swedes haven’t been slightly shortcircuiting here and there coming into their least favorite part of the tournament; namely the part that actually counts.

Granted, Sweden is absolutely talented and way, way, way, way better than Latvia on paper. They just put the screws to the United States and made it look easy. There’s realistically no way that they lose this game unless everyone got bad food the night before. Problem is…Sweden’s given up more goals than they do usually, and have let much lesser talents into games using nothing but effort and system. Latvia is nothing but effort and system, so if they can survive the course correction period like they generally try to, then Sweden could be in a lot of trouble.

That is, if they don’t just blow the doors off Latvia from minute one. One thing Latvia absolutely doesn’t have the ability to do right now is come back from a multi-goal defecit unless they’re playing a team in their middle power status.

Quarterfinal Game 2: Czechia meets Switzerland in a clash of excitement vs. structure​

Czechia has been cruising right along in this tournament with hopes of medaling again, and given how confidently they’ve played the other traditional powers at this tournament, especially Finland, I see no reason why they can’t just waltz right past this game and get ready for the Semi-Finals.

Well, if there’s one thing the Swiss are good at, it’s taking the kind of game that Czechia likes to play and absolutely murdering it. Switzerland loves a low event game. Can’t go without it. That’s made most of Switzerland’s games much closer than anyone would probably expect from them. Czechia have enjoyed the free wheeling nature of the tourney and the high octane contests of their compatriots and while they have come out of low scoring games, a low event game might be a bit different for them.

Quarterfinal Game 3: Team USA needs to save face against deeply Frustrated Finland​

Team USA you come out here and you look this audience in the eye and apologize for what you did.

Team USA should’ve enjoyed a walk in the park of a tournament. Instead they’ve let a lot of their worst tendencies dictate their decisionmaking and puck security, and as such have to do a lot of course correction in order to win games. Their final game against Sweden saw what happens when they can’t course correct, and it wasn’t pretty.

Meanwhile, Finland keeps running into the crushing reality that they are good right now, maybe even really good…but not great. They got stunted on by Canada by way of sheer volume, and then Czechia by way of sheer style. That has to be sticking in the craw of this proud power, and seeing the current gold medalists limping into this one has to be motivation to turn them into a fine paste. They will need to just hammer America’s netminder and take ample advantage of the USA’s issues with starting on time.

As for motivation for the US…listen, if you saw the olympic roster, you should be pretty aware this is going to be the last time a men’s hockey team wearing this jersey has a meaningful chance of competing for a medal, so let’s try to get back into the conversation and not do that hero hockey thing, okay? Just try to win the whole game? Thanks.

Bruins in this Game: both James Hagens and Will Zellers will be expected to be part of this squad.

Quarterfinal Game 4: Slovakia meets the Canadian Torment nexus​

Canada’s decision to buckle down and not make any foolish moves with their roster bore fruit this tournament; they’ve got Slovakia and aside from Latvia seemingly having their number, they have basically been untouchable this last week. Their talent is connecting, their effort level is consistent, their goalies keeping things sane and level. Gavin Mckenna has been as advertised, Michael Hage and Martin Brady are incredible force multipliers, and Zayne Parekh is going to be a surefire superstar the minute he’s traded to a team that can actually support him. All is right in the world for the Red and White (and this time no black)

Meanwhile, Slovakia has got some talent…they just keep running into teams that can out-talent them, and boy does Canada out-talent them. If they want to have a prayer, because it’s not coming from their goaltender this tournament, they need to lay siege to Canada’s offensive zone. They almost got the US through that, and through the blistering shots of Tomas Chrenko. As much as I rankle against the idea of triple shifting your most offensively gifted player due to the gap in talent and creativity around him being too much to meaningfully counter (something any Bruins fan right now should appreciate), I think their best shot is making sure Chrenko is out there for just about every minute of man advantage time they have.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com.../wjc-2026-quarterfinals-primer-when-it-counts

 

[Boston Bruins]

Preview: Road trip continues with a stop in Vancouver

Just the facts​

• When: Tonight, 10 PM
• Where: Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
• How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Opposing perspective: Nucks Misconduct

Know your enemy​

• 16-20-3, 35PTS, last in the Pacific Division
• Elias Pettersson: 9G-14A-23PTS; Conor Garland: 7G-15A-22PTS; Filip Hronek: 2G-20A-22PTS
• Thatcher Demko: 8-8-0, 2.72 GAA, .907 save percentage

Game notes​

• After a strong outing in Edmonton to wrap up 2025, the Bruins begin a new year in Vancouver against a Canucks team that finds itself in the basement of the Pacific Division.
• As you likely remember, these two teams played around two weeks ago back in Boston, a 5-4 shootout win for the Canucks.
• Kevin Lankinen was great for the Canucks in that game, stopping 38 shots in regulation/OT plus all seven shootout attempts. Thatcher Demko has had the lion’s share of the work since then, with Lankinen making just one start since Dec. 20, a win on Monday night. Meanwhile, Demko has lost three starts in a row.
• Marco Rossi hasn’t set the world alight since arriving in the Quinn Hughes trade, recording just a goal and an assist in seven games.
• Ol’ pal Jake DeBrusk is tied for third on the team in goals with nine — eight of which have come on the power play, which isn’t exactly an ideal distribution.
• The Canucks have lost three of their last four, with the win coming Monday night against Seattle. That game ended in a shootout, as did the game at TD Garden.
• Vancouver isn’t exactly a stout team defensively, allowing 3.49 goals-against per game, the second-worst mark in the league. Their penalty kill (75.2%) is fourth-worst in the league.
• In looking at Vancouver’s scoring leaders, I was surprised to see that their highest scorer has just 23 points. That would be fifth-best on the Bruins, though it’s fair to point out that David Pastrnak (44PTS) and Morgan Geekie (41PTS) are the only two free and clear of everyone on Vancouver.
• The Canucks have been bad on home ice this season, posting a record of 4-12-1. If you’d like some highly advanced stats, that means 75% of Vancouver’s wins this season have come on the road. Not exactly rewarding their fans with high-caliber play.
• Given his performance in Edmonton and the decent amount of time off between games, I’d imagine Jeremy Swayman gets another start tonight.

See ya tonight!

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...-road-trip-continues-with-a-stop-in-vancouver

 

[Boston Bruins]

Public Skate: Bruins vs. Canucks

Welcome to Saturday night, folks!

We’ve got our first Bruins game of the calendar year. Time to start fresh and all of that good stuff…except maybe not, as it’d be nice to see the B’s replicate their last performance of 2025.

The Canucks are not a good hockey team, so this game should be there for the taking. Famous last words, right?

Anyways, I’m giving you a good five-hour head start with this Public Skate, so I expect your takes to be extra sharp.

Put on some coffee too, you’re going to need it.

Bruins! Canucks! On ice!

Discuss.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/gameday-open-threads/57692/public-skate-bruins-vs-canucks

 

[Boston Bruins]

Morning Skate: Milano

Happy New Year, folks!

Hopefully you had yourselves a decent stretch of “what year is it” days, as we now find ourselves in another one of those limbo Fridays before the real world returns (for many) on Monday.

The Bruins, in surprising fashion, ended 2025 on a high note with a 6-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on New Year’s Eve.

That game saw the Bruins score twice in each period, with David Pastrnak (1G-2A), Elias Lindholm (1G-1A), Hampus Lindholm (1G-1A), and Fraser Minten (0G-2A) each having multi-point outings.

The B’s will practice in Vancouver today prior to a game against the Canucks Saturday night at 10 PM.

The big news for today: Olympic rosters are starting to trickle out for February’s Olympiad in Milano Cortina, Italy, and several Bruins players are included.

Bruins on Team USA​

Team USA officially released its roster on Friday morning, with no surprises on the Bruins end: both Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy made the team.

Introducing the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team #MilanoCortina2026

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Rosters: https://t.co/hUC1A7aZ7R pic.twitter.com/V1DV63Jyie

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 2, 2026

(The B’s put out a press release for Swayman this morning, but not McAvoy, leading me, half asleep, to wonder if McAvoy got snubbed…then I remembered he was named to the team in that “initial selection” group back over the summer. Good job, me.)

While there’s a chance Team USA goes with a “ride the hot hand” approach in net, I’d imagine Swayman will be third in the pecking order.

McAvoy should play a pretty important role on the blue line for the Americans, provided he stays far away from the Minnesota Wild medical staff.

Other Bruins heading to Milan​

Finland released their Olympic roster this morning as well, with Henri Jokiharju selected to the Finnish team.

Sweden released their Olympic roster today, and while they took one Lindholm, they didn’t take both: Elias Lindholm will represent Tre Kronor, with Hampus Lindholm left out.

It’s not entirely surprising, as Sweden is very deep on defense.

I haven’t seen anything official from Czechia, but David Pastrnak will be expected to carry the load for them, while I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pavel Zacha sneak in too.

Dans Locmelis, currently in Providence, should be selected to Team Latvia as well.

We’ll keep an eye out for other selections as Friday progresses.

What else is on tap for today?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/morning-skate-open-threads/57675/morning-skate-milano

 

[Boston Bruins]

WJC Medal Round PRIMER: Breaking Curses or Making History

Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF

What.

A.

Tournament.

How we got here​

Relegation Game: Germany finally gets going in a rout of Denmark​

See ya in a couple of years, Denmark.

Quarterfinal Matchup 1: Sweden strikes Latvia down in 6-3 slugfest​

I still believe in you, Latvia.

Quarterfinal Matchup 2: Czechia cruises to easy 6-2 Victory over Switzerland​

I think the Czechs might be for real man. I think they genuinely can’t stop scoring 6ish goals if you don’t let them.

Quarterfinal Matchup 3: Team USA’s demons finally come a-callin’ in 4-3 OT Stunner against Finland​

I said in our last meeting together that the US should be thanking their lucky stars they had Bruins prospects on their team and in this game I think that could count for all of it.

Quarterfinal Game 4: Slovakia gets efficiently ejected from this tournament in 7-1 beatdown to Canada​

I mean, what more do you want to hear, exactly?

---

Semifinal Game 1: Sweden guts out a win against Finland in 4-3 overtime classic​

It’s Finland, It’s Sweden, It’s the Brotherly Rivalry. You can’t ask for better, and they always deliver.

Semifinal Game 2: Czechia has Canada as they win 6-4!​

I’m not sayin’….but I’m just sayin’.

Bronze Medal Game: Lots of frustration to work out here​

Sorry Canada, you’ll have a great chance in about a month’s time to shut me up about your international performance beginning to slip. And don’t you worry! I am actively hoping you beat the US. Badly.

But I am gonna say that being here, in spite of everything you did right in the preliminaries? Still being completely incapable of beating Czechia at hockey? That should be concerning if you wanna call yourself the kings. Still, the Canadians have played a really damn solid tournament, certainly better than previous though definitely still afraid of bringing defensemen who understand what a zone exit is, and have the chance to medal after two years of largely making a fool of themselves. That is not ideal, especially given where you were not three years ago, but it is a start back in the right direction.

On the other side, a team they’ve already pretty soundly beaten, and are likely boiling with a low-key rage; Finland.

After silvering last year, running into your Scandinavian brother and having them squeak out a win against you to send you here to play a team that dropped a touchdown plus extra point on your poor unsuspecting goaltender has got to be a major gut punch to their morale. Still, the Finns have been playing some tough, close hockey now that things count, and even if Canada has a pretty clear matchup advantage, they’re gonna make them work for it. It’s also going to be a last chance for redemption for Petteri Rimpinen, who’s been unusually poor this tournament. If he can turn things back where they were last year, Canada might be in serious trouble.

But of course, that’s why you gotta play the game out.

Gold Medal Game: Back to the dance after so long​

While this game will likely be unfairly lightly attended, this is a game that any hockey fan should absolutely try to make their way towards if they can.

On one side, Sweden. Sweden came out of Group A knowing that their best buddies in Finland would bring the hammer of god right down on them, and they responded with a gutsy victory. Sweden’s been unusually decent so far in this knockout round; which usually experiences some sort of sudden drop in play right around this point that has contributed to their 12 silver medals in 43 appearances. That hasn’t happened this year, so it is genuinely looking like this could be the year they finally break their curse of seemingly destined to be Silver medal forever. They have the talent, they’ve shown they have the gumption to keep it close, and they have the ability to overwhelm their opponents. Everything should be going to plan. This should be their chance to prove they’re the kings of teenager hockey

One Small Problem: Someone told Czechia they get to play too.

Czechia is in largely the same boat as Sweden, with only two gold medals in their short history as a country, and those are now nearly two and a half decades old. By comparison with Sweden who has gotten so close and failed to get there, Czechia has only ever medaled a grand total of six times, three of which came within the last three years. Unlike Sweden, who’s off years merely mean a disappointing semifinal appearance most of the time, Czechia’s program after their talented prospects age out will often experience crushing lows that almost take them out of the knockout round entirely for years. However, Czechia has been building and building throughout the last few years, and no better example of how they’ve managed to elevate their brand of hockey has come from who they keep beating; Canada. It is clear they smell blood in the water once again, and are totally fine with any game you want to play with them. Slow it down? They can work with that. Make it a score happy goalfest? They’ve got the talent for that now too and what’s more they already love that kind of game. What’s more…they work their asses off every single second they’re out there. They know they have a shot, a genuine shot, to go from “Rising” to “Risen”, and I hope the Swedes are ready.

Because I don’t know if a Czechia riding off a battle-high of beating Canada in a way that suggests it’s a trend is a foe anyone’s ready for.

---

I will have my final thoughts on the Bruins prospects once we have our medalists, so one more time for the kids, MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ound-primer-breaking-curses-or-making-history

 

[Boston Bruins]

Morning Skate: Stateside

Welcome to a new week, folks!

If you’re a boring, 9-5 office worker like me, this is the week when the “eh, I’ll get to it after the holidays” rent comes due, so good luck to all of you out there.

The Bruins completed the Canadian portion of their road trip over the weekend, beating the Canucks in OT behind two goals from Fraser Minten.

After a disappointing start to the trip with the OT loss to Calgary, the Bruins bounced back nicely in Western Canada.

Next up: Seattle, for the last stop of the road trip on Tuesday before returning home to face those same Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

In case you missed it last week, Will Zellers, James Hagens, and Team USA had their World Junior Championship run end prematurely with a loss to Finland on Friday, so that fun is over.

Sweden beat Finland in a shootout on Sunday to book their place in the final, while Canada and Czechia were still playing Sunday night while I put this together, so who knows what happens there.

Elsewhere in the hockey world, two ten-game winning streaks ended over the weekend, as the Buffalo Sabres (!?!?!) finally lost a game, falling to Columbus on Saturday, and the Colorado Avalanche lost to the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

(Small consolation for the Panthers, who got pasted by the New York Rangers on national TV in their Winter Classic on Friday.)

It was also a banner weekend for sucker punches in the NHL, as former Bruin John Beecher earned himself a one-game suspension over the weekend for decking Michael McCarron of the Nashville Predators and Logan Stanley got a game for punching Brady Tkachuk.

So much for those “I will be slower to anger” resolutions for 2026, I guess.

Lastly, in personal soccer news, it was a banner weekend for Wolves, who finally won a game in the Premier League. Thank you for your support.

Another day off before the B’s are back in action, what’s on tap for today?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/morning-skate-open-threads/57699/morning-skate-stateside

 

[Boston Bruins]

Bruins Preview: Boston takes on Seattle to end road trip

Photo by Liv Lyons/NHLI via Getty Images

Just the Facts​

• The Time: 10pm EST
• The Place: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
• Place to Watch: NESN, KONG, Amazon Prime (if you’re local to Washington), SportsNet
• Place to Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• An Opposing Viewpoint: Davy Jones’ Locker Room

Game Preview​

So those Kraken, a team a lot of people sort of wrote off as directionless with too many albatross contracts and too few high-end scoring talents…appear to be third in the division and have one of the best records in the Pacific over the last ten games.

This season’s theme is “wait, really?”

So yeah! The Kraken are….good, I guess? They’ve managed to be a prototypical Lane Lambert team in that they love their low event games, but manage to get enough chaos from their young talent and from their vets to create decent net-front chances. They’re extremely easy to keep to the outside…most of the time. Their craftiness in stretching out defenses (especially not great ones) is what’s made them a difficult beat recently and got them somehow back into the picture out west. The Pacific Division is less a monkey knife fight and now just a bunch of apes taking swings at every jugular they can find in a room full of mirrors; it will be a miracle if anyone in that division escapes it unscathed.

Riding some highs of Jordan Eberle, Eeli Tolvanen, Matty Beniers, and Chandler Stephenson of all people has also made their attack extremely difficult to gauge; they usually take few shots and get fewer high danger chances…but they also drag you right down into that as well, meaning every single scoring chance suddenly counts for a lot more than it did previously.

Oh yeah, and they have better than average goaltending. That definitely feels pretty Lane Lambert.

The Kraken already played Grubauer against Calgary, but right now neither of their goalies are easy beats. Daccord usually goes about four or five games before his first clunker of a game (and he already finished that against Vancouver), and Grubauer, someone we all assumed was washed, is now rocking a SV% that could, and I swear to god this is true, be close to league leading among goaltenders who’ve started at least 12 games. This team is much like this NHL Season, in that they defy a lot of conventional wisdom about the sport in order to be successful, and Boston cannot take them for granted.

The Bruins meanwhile…are actually kind of figuring things out again. While having fallen out of a wildcard spot, they’re riding high on beating Edmonton and Vancouver in extremely impressive fashions. Part of it is yes, they do have at least one of their stars playing lights out, but now they’ve got a little extra help in Fraser Minten, who’s got 4 points in 2 games. Once again it will require the Bruins to find a way to break open the game and absolutely not get suckered into playing Lambert hockey. Lambert hockey will absolutely force some of the stragglers on the Bruins to try and make plays…and recently that’s been a bit of a mixed bag. They need to get this game moving fast, they need to force Daccord to make big saves, and keep him moving. He’s a very active goalie and the Kraken defense isn’t very mobile, so catching him while he’s out of position is a great way to score on him. Keep hammering the net, and if your best is on the ice, give them the room to make the magic happen. That does apparently include Fraser Minten, for what it’s worth.

Oh yeah, and you’ve got absolutely zero excuse if you can’t score on the Kraken during power plays. They’ve absolutely earned their 32nd in the league PK. If you gotta get even, get even on the power play. Any missed opportunities can and should be judged harshly. Trust me.

Will the Bruins even the all-time series against Seattle and come home with a song in their hearts? Or will there be more bubbling discontent?

Let’s find out tonight!

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...view-boston-takes-on-seattle-to-end-road-trip

 

[Boston Bruins]

Bruins RECAP: Bruins receive another painful lesson in 7-4 LOSS

Well hey, guess what.

We’re the easy target now.

First Period​

Things didn’t start ideal with a penalty kill, and it became a 5-on-3, and it especially didn’t go great with Jordan Eberle getting oodles of time and space to score a goal with the man advantage. 1-0 Kraken.

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Mercifully, David Pastrnak is still here! He gets the longest pass imaginable and does a little trickery to even things up with a slick shot! 1-1 Everybody.

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

Where all the really bad stuff happened.

2nd Period​

3 minutes into the game the Bruins flub the puck, Berkly Catton and Jared McCann go on a rush, and Catton’s sharp angle shot somehow makes it through Swayman to put the Kraken up. 2-1 Kraken.

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Thankfully, the Boston Bruins still have a David Pastrnak, who’s nifty passing to McAvoy drew a crowd to Charlie, and he got the return pass and a wide open cage to shoot at! 2-2 Everybody.

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Unfortunately, that’s when things began to fall apart for good.

The Kraken’s 4th line decided to go bully Mason Lohrei for a semi-extended period of time, and were able to get the puck out to Ben Meyers who managed to get the shot through Swayman. 3-2 Kraken.

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Then before the period ended…

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Geez, guys.

Period ends with the Bruins down 4-2.

Third Period​

Endless pain hits as the Kraken managed to get a zone entry, and used a little bit of speed to get separation, which ended in Kaapo Kakko putting a bullet past Swayman. 5-2 Kraken.

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Oh cool their prospect kid wanted to score again and the Kraken put all their effort into sending him on a little trip directly to Swayman effectively unbothered. 6-2 Kraken.

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Mercifully, the Bruins finally stopped the bleeding a bit from a goal in tight from Mason Lohrei, who badly needed a positive coming out of this contest, and found one in being the 8th chance on a net-front scramble. 6-3 Kraken.

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Finally, the Kraken penalty kill surrendered an opportunity, as Victor Arvidsson scored on the doorstep, bringing the score to 6-4 Kraken.

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Unfortunately, Kaapo Kakko sealed things with an empty netter, and the Bruins lose this game 7-4.

Game Notes:​

• Your TOI Leader was Charlie McAvoy, who played 23:51
• The Bruins outshot and outchanced the Kraken, but found out the hard way that this is Lane Lambert hockey; the stuff you usually do to win isn’t the way to beat them; when they can stretch your sorry defense like rubber, there’s almost nothing you can do to stop it. Seattle beat Boston using explosive speed to beat their so-called physical presences, and by stretching the ice out enough to get distance on them in open ice, or to clump them together to create screens.
• Mason Lohrei nights are always a treat. You either get two goals for, or he’s by far the worst defenseman on the ice, where it becomes abundantly clear that the most important part of his game, the one we’ve desperately hoped would develop, his ability to see the ice in front of him and identify positively ways to do defense correctly, is never, ever going to come in. You’ll never guess which one he was in a 7-4 blowout.
  • Also the continued insistence on Lohrei – Peeke as a pairing; using two of the worst Bruins defenders currently dressed on the same pairing that bring out the worst in each other, should earn Marco Sturm a public flogging.
• Also, as it turns out? Jonathan Aspirot is not a first pairing defender! He got exposed pretty badly tonight, and especially in the department of speed and puck security. It should be a serious concern that the Bruins effectively have a 1D and it’s by default!
• The penalty kill was miserable tonight. Seattle came away with 3 chances out of 4 going in, and they only responded with a middling 1 out of 3 chances against the worst penalty kill in the National Hockey League. I said there was no excuse in the preview, and I mean it now; you were given golden opportunities and ran it down your leg. Unacceptable. Beyond unacceptable.
• Jeremy Swayman had a bad showing. He was also working on his fourth start of the last 7 days because this organization has completely and utterly given up on his backup ever being helpful, and his defense remains an absolute travesty. More than consistency, more than winning hearts and minds, Swayman needs some goddamn help, and he’s not getting it right now.
  • If you were gonna just not play Joonas Korpisalo you should’ve just given Swayman 10 million. It’s not gonna change anyone’s opinion on him and you’ll at least be able to say the money Korpisalo makes is being used for something.
• David Pastrnak is now on the precipice of being the 2nd Boston Bruin this year to reach 20 goals. I get the distinct feeling this is going to be a very exclusive club that only he and Geekie get the password and key to enter.
• The Boston Bruins seem to be waiting on one of the many swings that the 2025-26 NHL seems to be giving out to their teams at total random, and I’m afraid, with the Olympic Break fast approaching, they’re not gonna get it. They need to pick a direction for this team and make it fast.
• If you’re trying to cope by saying that the Kraken are only on this winning streak they’re on because the Pacific sucks or that their competition lately has been lacking…well, congratulations. You got a game that exemplified that latter point pretty well. That doesn’t make me feel any better, and frankly says a helluva lot more about how much work needs to be done to improve this roster than anything about Seattle’s recent string of luck.
• Just gonna keep saying it until it sinks in: This was who we were supposed to be. It was supposed to hurt, it was supposed to be ugly, they had enough talent to maybe stave it off for a bit, but this is where we’re back to like the end of last season; bad defense, worse offense except on the power play, inconsistent goaltending, no prospects worth calling up that wouldn’t be served better playing in college. This is about accumulating capital for the offseason. Or should be, anyway. It’s a little frustrating that little has happened so far.

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Bruins finally come home to play the Calgary Flames on Thursday evening, that game is on at 7pm EST.

We’ll see you there.

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...ns-receive-another-painful-lesson-in-7-4-loss

 

[Boston Bruins]

Bruins GAMETHREAD: vs. Seattle

Welcome in!

What’s on tap?

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/bruins-gameday/57740/bruins-gamethread-vs-seattle

 

[Boston Bruins]

WJC 2026 Wrap-up: Sweden finally goes Golden!

10,000 years of IIHF hockey, man.

This tournament rules.

Bronze Medal: Canada finally ends the medal drought in a 6-3 drubbing of Finland!​

Now that’s a medal win.

Game Notes​

• This was unfortunately once again a fantastic example of the Canadians having their opponent’s number. They crushed the Finns at every aspect of the game and even if they started giving up goals themselves, made it clear there was no wins to be had on their dime. Just a wall to wall asskicking for a Bronze.
• Zayne Parekh got into a little bit of hot water for stating that he didn’t want to be a Robot out there as he managed to be a source of joy and strength for his team…while also having a million points and breaking all sorts of records for a defenseman at this tournament. I’m gonna be as mean about this as possible, but he is absolutely right and the fact he was even in hot water about this and the marked improvement of his team by having him there (notably Parekh was not brought to the tournament last year) speaks volumes about what Team Canada actually values, and frankly if I were part of the Calgary Flames front office and anyone raised a stink I’d be personally kicking their ass around the saddledome until my Airbirds’ tread was a permanent fixture on their pants; especially if the Flames current record were something anyone could look up on the internet. Zayne, for the love of god, please ignore these people. You have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that by being your goofy self that this works. Butheyyouknowifyoufeelalittleisolatedincalgarygivedonnyacallyknowwhatimean
• Now shut people like me up by winning Gold.

Gold Medal: Sweden at long last tastes gold in 4-2 dissection of the Czechs​

I get the feeling Sweden didn’t want history repeating itself in this one.

Game Notes​

• The Swedes absolutely destroyed the Czechs in a true, organizational way. They made it so difficult for them to do anything at all that it felt like Czechia had been reduced to a particularly red variant of Latvia. Noteworthy is that they let their system game completely envelope the Czechs, and the Czechs just didn’t have it last night to counteract it enough even as they came back. If you wanted to break any supposed curses, this is how you do it. No drama, just asskicking. Congratulations indeed.
• Heads held high, Czechia. You’ve still got a couple years left of this crop of prospects, so a medal is still in your future. You just have to cultivate what made you impressive at this tournament and make that your brand across your federation. You’ve got the talent, now just go and implement it.

Final Tally for Bruins at the World Juniors​

Will Zellers and James Hagens were, as I’m sure I’ve made clear already, major highlights for a deeply disappointing tournament for the USA. Zellers finished his tournament with 8 points in 5 games, and Hagens with 7 points in 5 games. Both were pretty solid, definitely still prospects, but took this tournament a tad more seriously than a good number of their fellows and it showed.

Congrats to the both of them on a rock solid World Juniors. I sincerely hope both of you will be in the NHL by the time you’re ready for the Olympics.

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Thank you for following along as always! I hope to see you next year, and we’ll see you next month for the Winter Olympic games!

Source: https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com...0/wjc-2026-wrap-up-sweden-finally-goes-golden