Bruins Bounce Back, Coyle Hits 1,000, and Malkin’s Not Done Yet: What’s Buzzing Around the NHL
The Boston Bruins are heating up again, and Thursday night at TD Garden was the latest proof. After a rough outing earlier in the week, they bounced back with a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, marking their seventh victory in their last eight games and sixth straight at home. The Bruins didn’t waste any time setting the tone-three goals in a 54-second span lit up the first period and sent a clear message: Tuesday’s stumble was already in the rearview.
David Pastrnak led the charge with three points, showing once again why he’s the heartbeat of this Bruins offense. And while the early fireworks got the crowd going, it was Joonas Korpisalo who slammed the door late. The netminder turned away 30 shots, including 18 in a frantic third period, as Boston held off Vegas’ push.
That win came just two nights after a humbling loss that Bruins assistant coach Marco Sturm called a “pounding.” But sometimes, those kinds of games are exactly what a team needs to reset. And judging by Boston’s response, the message landed.
Around the League: Milestones, Injuries, and Trade Watch
Charlie Coyle’s Milestone Moment
Elsewhere in the NHL, Thursday was a special night for Charlie Coyle. The Weymouth native hit the 1,000-game milestone-a major achievement in any NHL career.
Coyle played 452 of those games in a Bruins sweater between 2019 and 2025, putting up a 96-134-230 stat line. From dreaming about playing for the Weymouth Wildcats as a kid to skating in his 1,000th NHL game, Coyle’s journey is a testament to longevity and consistency.
Malkin’s Not Done Yet
In Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin gave Penguins fans something to cheer about beyond the scoreboard. After a two-goal, one-assist performance in a 6-2 win over Edmonton, Malkin confirmed what many hoped to hear: he wants to play one more year. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, the 39-year-old is still producing at a high clip-39 points in 35 games-and it sounds like he's not ready to hang up the skates just yet.
That puts the ball in Kyle Dubas’ court. Malkin’s place in Penguins history is already cemented, but whether he gets to write one more chapter in Pittsburgh remains to be seen.
Toronto’s Blue Line Banged Up
The Maple Leafs are dealing with a bruised blue line. Already without Chris Tanev, they lost Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a lower-body injury on Wednesday, and Brandon Carlo is also sidelined.
The good news? Both could be back in the lineup as early as Friday night against Vegas.
That would be a welcome boost for a Toronto team trying to stay in the thick of the playoff race.
Trade Watch: Big Names on the Move?
With the trade freeze looming on February 4, the rumor mill is picking up steam. Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck from the Rangers, Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat from the Devils, and Nazem Kadri from Calgary headline the top five on TSN’s trade board. No real surprise seeing Panarin at the top-word is the Rangers aren’t planning to extend him, which could make him one of the biggest names moved before the deadline.
On a more local note, Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke is listed at No. 26. It’s something to keep an eye on as Boston looks to fine-tune its roster for a postseason push.
International and AHL Updates
IIHF Extends Ban on Russia and Belarus
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has extended its ban on Russia and Belarus through the 2026-27 season. This decision runs counter to the International Olympic Committee’s recent recommendation to reinstate athletes with full national identity. The IIHF will revisit the topic ahead of the 2027-28 season, with U-18 participation possibly on the table.
Bridgeport Islanders on the Move
The AHL is losing another New England team. The Bridgeport Islanders are set to relocate to Hamilton, Ontario, at the end of this season.
The move marks another step back for AHL hockey in the region-New England had eight teams in 2008; next year, it’ll be down to just three. The team will play in the former home of the Hamilton Bulldogs, now renamed TD Coliseum.
There is a silver lining for Bridgeport: a Tier-3 junior team is expected to take over the venue, keeping the rink active and the hockey spirit alive in the city.
Outdoor Hockey, AHL Style
And finally, while the NHL’s Winter Classic often steals the spotlight, the AHL is bringing its own outdoor magic. The Iowa Wild and Milwaukee Admirals are set to face off under the open sky Friday night as part of the Hockey Day Minnesota celebration.
The game will be played in Hastings, Minnesota, where the forecast is calling for a bone-chilling high of -8°F. No roof, no problem-just good old-fashioned outdoor hockey the way it was meant to be.
From the Bruins’ bounce-back win to Malkin’s declaration and Coyle’s milestone, it’s been a busy week across the hockey world. And with the trade deadline creeping closer, the next few weeks promise even more intrigue. Stay warm, hockey fans-things are just getting started.