The Bruins are back at Warrior Ice Arena this morning, still sitting on a three-point cushion at the top of the Atlantic Division, and then they’ll head to Raleigh, N.C., to kick off a two-game road trip.
Boston earned the extra breathing room by sweeping its two-game homestand. The Bruins beat the Predators on Thursday, then handled the Sharks on Saturday, running their point streak to eight games in the process. Practice is set for 11:00 AM, and once they’re done, the team flies south.
There was also some roster business to note last week. Marat Khusnutdinov signed a three-year extension with a $3.95M cap hit, keeping him in Boston through 2030.
The 24-year-old has become a useful part of Marco Sturm’s lineup, and he said Thursday after morning skate, “I’m very excited to be a Bruin for a few more years,” he said after morning skate on Thursday. “For me, it’s the best group and best fans.”
Elias Lindholm is giving the Bruins another lift. The $7.75M center has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, but he’s feeling healthy again and producing in his 3C role. That showed up again Saturday night, when the third line spent much of the game matched up with Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks’ top group.
Michael DiPietro also had a night to remember on Thursday. The 27-year-old stopped 28 shots in Boston’s 6-0 win over Nashville for his first NHL shutout. It came on Hockey Fights Cancer night at TD Garden, which made the milestone even more meaningful for the first-year NHL goaltender.
Around the Atlantic Division, Boston’s 9-2-1 record gives it 19 points. Ottawa and Toronto are tied with 16, Tampa Bay sits on 15, Montreal and Florida each have 14, and Detroit and Buffalo are both at 11.
Elsewhere in the league, the Hurricanes ended Alexander Nikishin’s holdout. Carolina announced a one-year deal for the 25-year-old left-shot defenseman worth $3 million, and the contract leaves him as an RFA with arbitration rights next summer and offer-sheet eligibility when it expires.
The Canadiens also took the Heritage Classic in Winnipeg, edging the Jets 2-1 at Princess Auto Stadium behind a strong outing from BC Eagle Jacob Fowler.
The Rangers added veteran help in goal, signing 38-year-old James Reimer to a one-year deal worth $850,000 after he had signed a PTO with AHL Hartford. Spencer Martin was assigned to Hartford.
Nikita Kucherov moved to the top of Tampa Bay’s all-time points list last night. His 10th assist of the season gave him 1,138 career points (405-733-1,138) in 890 games, passing Steven Stamkos, who had 1,137.
Connor Hellebuyck is in New Jersey and is expected to make his debut this week. He skated on Saturday but not with the full team, and a full practice is set for today. Rory Boylen examined how the return is shaping up, how the trade came together, and why Sunny Mehta made the move.
At TD Garden on Saturday, the Bruins’ offense was part of the story again while San Jose’s defensive issues stayed front and center. The Sharks were tagged for five goals by Boston, and Sheng Peng broke down the rebound problem and why the offseason additions haven’t fixed it.
Chicago’s slide continued as well. The Blackhawks have now lost eight of their first 11 games and have scored only three goals over their last three outings. Their power play went 0-for-7 in yesterday’s 3-2 loss to Florida.
And in Vancouver, Quinn Hughes made his return to the city last night. Canucks fans had some fun with their former captain, and while the reaction wasn’t as sharp as what Senators fans brought, there was still plenty of chatter - including a message to Wild fans about Hughes’ next contract.
In Other News...
Will Borgen Is Giving The Bruins Something They Desperately Needed
The Bruins knew they needed help on the back end when they sent backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the Rangers for Will Borgen on July 1, and so far the move has given them exactly the kind of steady presence they were looking for. Borgen has fit in quickly, bringing a calmer, more reliable edge to a blue line that has had to absorb the absence of Charlie McAvoy while trying to keep the team organized in its own zone.
Through his first stretch in Boston, Borgen has stood out for the way he has handled his minutes and simplified things for the rest of the defense corps. Marco Sturm has liked what he has seen from the newcomer, and the early returns suggest the Bruins may have found a useful piece for a group that badly needed one. [Read more 🡒]
James Hagens Is Giving Bruins Fans A Reason To Dream Early
James Hagens has given the Bruins an early jolt of optimism in his first stretch of the 2026-27 season. The 19-year-old forward, taken seventh overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, has settled into a third-line role alongside Casey Mittlestadt and Elias Lindholm, and he has already shown enough poise to look comfortable in NHL minutes. Through 12 games, he has supplied a steady mix of offense and quick decision-making that has fit neatly into Bostons lineup.
David Pastrnak has noticed the way Hagens plays around the crease, where patience and touch can matter just as much as speed. For a young player still carving out his place, the encouraging part is not only the production but the way he is finding important moments without forcing the issue. The Bruins have plenty of season left to sort out, but Hagens is already giving the fan base a reason to think the future might arrive sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
James Hagens Is Giving The Bruins More Than Just Rookie Scoring
James Hagens is already showing why the Bruins were so eager to make him their 2025 first-round pick, and it is not just because the points are coming. Through 12 games, he has looked comfortable enough to tie for the NHL rookie scoring lead, but the bigger takeaway for Boston has been how quickly he is adjusting to the pace and physicality of the pro game.
Marco Sturm has seen the transition up close and has been pushing Hagens toward a more direct style, one that sends him inside and closer to the net instead of drifting too far to the perimeter. That approach fit into the Bruins 6-4 win over the Sharks, where Boston also did a strong job limiting San Joses top line at 5-on-5, giving the young center a chance to keep building on an encouraging start. [Read more 🡒]