The Boston Bruins are back on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena, gearing up for the second half of their 2025-26 season. With a slim four-point lead over the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, the Bruins have their work cut out for them.
Thursday night, Boston will face Columbus at the TD Garden. The Bruins will be without their two goalies and defensemen Henri Jokiharju and Charlie McAvoy, who remain in Italy until the weekend.
This means it's time for other players to step up and show that their pre-break success was no fluke. Let’s dive into three Bruins who have a lot to prove starting Thursday night against the Blue Jackets.
Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman is a player with something to prove. After a rocky 2024-25 season, marred by a training camp holdout and underwhelming stats, Swayman is on a mission to bounce back.
This season, he's posted a 22-12-3 record in 38 games, with a 2.92 goals against average and a .903 save percentage, including one shutout. These numbers are a marked improvement from last year's 3.11 GAA and .892 SV%.
If the Bruins are to hold onto their postseason spot, Swayman will need to maintain this upward trajectory.
Fraser Minten
Fraser Minten has been a revelation. Acquired in a savvy move by Don Sweeney from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minten is quickly becoming a cornerstone for Boston's future.
In 57 games, the 2022 second-round pick has racked up 14 goals and 15 assists, with a plus-18 rating. His scorching performance in January leaves fans eager to see if he can continue this form post-break.
Like Swayman, Minten's consistency will be crucial for the Bruins' playoff aspirations.
Morgan Geekie
Morgan Geekie is proving indispensable for the Bruins this season. Coming off a career-high 33-goal season, Geekie is already at 32 goals at the break.
With David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm returning from the Olympics, their form is uncertain, making Geekie’s contributions even more vital. A 40-plus goal season from Geekie could be the difference-maker for the Bruins' playoff push.
As the second half of the season kicks off, these players will be pivotal in determining whether the Bruins can solidify their playoff position. It's time for Boston to rally and prove their mettle on the ice.