The Bruins’ unbeaten stretch has already survived one scare, and now it faces a tougher setting.
Boston is 7-0-1 after Saturday’s 6-4 comeback win over San Jose, a game that flipped only after the Bruins found themselves trailing 3-2 early in the third period. David Pastrnak tied it, James Hagens pushed Boston in front, Fraser Minten scored the go-ahead goal and Will Borgen sealed it with an empty-netter.
That made the run look impressive, but it also revealed the kind of margin Boston has been working with. The Bruins have shown they can answer when a game starts slipping away. The bigger question now is whether they can spend less time digging out of trouble in the first place.
Tuesday’s trip to Carolina will put that to the test. The Hurricanes are the kind of opponent that can force teams into messy breakouts and hurried decisions, which makes the Bruins’ habit of chasing games a dangerous one to lean on again. Boston’s rally against the Sharks was a useful reminder of its offensive punch, but repeating that formula in Carolina would be a shaky plan.
There were encouraging signs in the way the Bruins responded against San Jose. Pastrnak helped jump-start the comeback, Hagens quickly followed, and Minten’s power-play goal gave Boston the edge. For a team that has leaned on a lot of different contributors during this strong opening stretch, those timely plays mattered.
Still, the next step is clear. Boston will need to manage the puck better, stay out of the penalty box and make Carolina defend for longer stretches. If the Bruins spend too much of the night absorbing pressure, they may not get the same kind of opening that San Jose gave them.
The defensive side of the game matters just as much. Boston has proven it can handle adversity, but staying calm after a mistake is only part of the equation. The better version of this streak is one where the Bruins prevent the problem before it starts.
An eight-game unbeaten run is no small thing, especially for a team that has already been pushed in several close games. But Tuesday gives Boston a chance to show the stretch can travel. A sharp start, disciplined play and some timely scoring would say more about this team than another late escape ever could.
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 🡒]
Bruins Suddenly Have New Roster Momentum Heading Into Tough Trip
The Bruins returned to practice with a little more stability around the roster just as the schedule starts to get tougher. Boston heads out on a two-game road trip carrying a three-point lead in the Atlantic Division, and the timing of the latest developments could hardly be better for a team trying to keep its footing in a crowded race.
Marat Khusnutdinov is now locked in for the long haul after signing a three-year contract extension, giving the Bruins one less item to worry about as they move deeper into the season. The last game also offered a boost in net, where Michael DiPietro picked up his first NHL shutout, the kind of performance that can quiet a few questions and give a club some extra confidence before heading on the road. [Read more 🡒]