Bruins Rally Late, Trade Talks Heat Up Across the NHL as Olympic Break Nears
The Boston Bruins found another gear on Saturday night, storming back to beat the Montreal Canadiens in a rivalry game that had a little bit of everything-momentum swings, special teams fireworks, and a third-period surge that showed why the Bruins are still a force to be reckoned with.
Bruins Flip the Script Late
After a sluggish first period, Boston flipped the switch. They scored two goals in a 12-second span in the third period to take control and ultimately secure their 30th win of the season, improving to 30-20-2. The Canadiens, who came in at 28-17-7, couldn’t recover from the quick strike.
Morgan Geekie led the charge with two power-play goals, and Viktor Arvidsson added another with the man advantage. The Bruins only had four power-play opportunities all night-but they made them count.
Since January 1, Boston has quietly become the league’s most efficient power-play unit, converting at a blistering 38.7% clip. That’s elite territory.
The flip side? Their penalty kill has been a major vulnerability, ranking second-worst in the NHL over the same stretch at just 63.6%.
Still, when the power play is this hot, it can tilt games-and that’s exactly what happened against Montreal. The Bruins punished the Canadiens for their lack of discipline, and it proved to be the difference.
Trade Winds Blowing as Olympic Break Looms
With the Olympic break less than two weeks away, trade chatter across the league is picking up. But not every front office is eager to pay for a player who might be sitting idle during the break. Teams like the Rangers, Blues, and Flames are all in the seller’s market-but the asking prices are steep.
Let’s start with Artemi Panarin. The Rangers aren’t offering an extension, and with Panarin holding a no-move clause and an expiring contract, he controls his next destination.
The reported asking price? A first-round pick, a prospect, and a conditional third-rounder-mirroring what the Islanders got for Brock Nelson last year.
Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Washington have reportedly expressed interest.
In Calgary, things have quieted down after the Rasmus Andersson trade. The Flames made their big move, and now the market around them has cooled.
St. Louis, meanwhile, is still working the phones, but the price tag for defenseman Justin Faulk is high.
They’re reportedly using the Andersson deal as a benchmark.
Some teams are pushing to get deals done before the Olympic pause, while others are content to wait it out. And then there’s New Jersey.
Devils Hit Pause on Trade Plans
The Devils were expected to be active, but injuries have changed the equation. With Luke Hughes sidelined and Dougie Hamilton stepping up in a big way, New Jersey is now backing off the idea of moving the 32-year-old defenseman.
Hamilton has quietly racked up seven assists, and the Devils are 5-1-0 since he returned from being a healthy scratch. It’s a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”-at least for now.
Malkin Wants One More Year in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin is making his intentions clear-he wants to stay. After a standout performance on Thursday, Malkin said he’s hoping for one more year with the Penguins.
The decision now rests with GM Kyle Dubas. No contract is on the table yet, and Malkin says he hasn’t heard anything.
Before the season, both sides agreed to wait and reassess around the Olympic break. With 39 points in 35 games, Malkin is proving he’s still got gas in the tank.
He hasn’t been a point-per-game player since 2022-23, but he’s close.
Bussi’s Breakout Year Leads to Extension Talks
One of the best stories of the season continues to unfold in Carolina. Goaltender Brandon Bussi, who started the year in Providence, has become a revelation at the NHL level.
Through 22 games, he’s posted an 18-3-1 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Now, the 27-year-old and the Hurricanes are working on a contract extension.
It’s been a meteoric rise for Bussi, and Carolina is looking to lock him in.
Minor League Swap Between Sabres and Hurricanes
The Sabres and Hurricanes made a minor-league move on Saturday. Buffalo acquired 31-year-old defenseman Gavin Bayreuther and forward Viktor Neuchev. It’s a depth move, but one that gives the Sabres a bit more experience on the back end.
As the Olympic break approaches, the league is at a crossroads. Some teams are gearing up for a playoff push, others are retooling for the future, and a few are still figuring out which direction to go. One thing’s for sure-between the trade buzz, contract talks, and late-game heroics like we saw in Boston, the NHL’s stretch run is already heating up.