The Bruins carried a three-game winning streak into Sunday afternoon’s matchup with the Panthers at TD Garden, and they wasted no time making the building feel alive.
Boston was coming off a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday night, a game in which Pavel Zacha scored twice to pace the offense. Florida arrived on the second night of a back-to-back after a 4-3 loss to Washington on Saturday.
The opening minutes brought instant heat. At 1:10 p.m., the game began with a fight as Nikita Zadorov and Brady Tkachuk dropped the gloves right away, firing up the TD Garden crowd.
- NESN (@NESN) November 8, 2026
Just a few minutes later, the Panthers handed Boston an early chance when Gustav Forsling went to the penalty box for delay of game at 1:15 p.m., though the Bruins’ power play couldn’t cash in.
Before puck drop, Boston had already made a few notable lineup and roster moves. The Bruins announced their line combinations at 12:50 p.m., and at 12:40 p.m. they confirmed Jeremy Swayman would start in goal after Michael DiPietro handled the crease in Thursday’s win over the Penguins.
It’s a Sunday Sway Day. https://t.co/jDcbPC50OQ
- Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 8, 2026
At 12:30 p.m., the Bruins also revealed that after placing James Hagens on injured reserve, they recalled Mikey Eyssimont from Providence. Eyssimont was set to make his season debut against Florida.
The game was scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and aired on NESN, with streaming available on NESN 360 and Fubo.
The Bruins’ upcoming slate includes games against the Canadiens on Nov. 12, the Wild on Nov. 14, the Kings on Nov. 17 and a road trip to Detroit on Nov. 18.
Florida’s next games come at Columbus on Nov. 10, home against Detroit on Nov. 12, then at St. Louis on Nov. 14 and at Dallas on Nov.
In Other News...
Bruins Suddenly Have A Mikey Eyssimont Decision To Make
Mikey Eyssimont is making it harder for the Bruins to keep treating him like a depth piece. After clearing waivers and landing back with Providence, he has kept producing at a level that stands out even in the AHL, and his latest performance came in a wild 5-4 comeback win over Hamilton in which the Bruins erased a 3-0 hole. Eyssimont had already been recognized as the AHL Player of the Month for October, and the return to the lineup only added to the sense that he is forcing the issue.
For Boston, the question is no longer just whether Eyssimont can help in Providence. It is whether his strong play down there changes the conversation about his place in the organization and what kind of value he might carry if the Bruins decide to explore the trade market. He has become one of those players whose next step matters because it could affect both the NHL roster picture and whatever options Boston has later on. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Suddenly Face A James Hagens Problem They Cant Ignore
The Bruins had to make an immediate roster move after James Hagens went on injured reserve following the injury he sustained against the Penguins. Boston is already dealing with the ripple effects of losing a forward who was hurt in a game that turned physical, and the team has not yet offered a clear update from its head coach on how long the absence might last.
Mikey Eyssimont was recalled from Providence to fill the opening, giving Boston another option as it tries to keep its forward group steady. For now, the bigger concern is Hagens and what the Bruins can expect next, especially with the injury coming on a cross-check and the team still waiting to learn more about his status. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Get A Timely Boost As Goaltending Picture Tightens
The Bruins head into a divisional matchup with Florida in a better spot than they were not long ago, at least when it comes to the crease. Jeremy Swayman is expected to start, and the organization has reason to feel a little more settled with Michael DiPietro giving Providence steady work behind him. For a team trying to keep its footing in a tight stretch of the schedule, having both the NHL starter and the next man up trending well matters.
Providence added to that sense of momentum with a comeback win of its own, a result that only deepens the clubs confidence in its depth chart. The Bruins are still sorting through the bigger picture, but the goaltending situation has tightened in a way that gives them more options, and for now that is the kind of development a team can use before a matchup with a division rival. [Read more 🡒]