The Bruins don’t look like a team easing into anything.
Nine games into the 2026-27 season, Boston is 7-2-0 after backing up a Friday win over Anaheim with a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, completing its California swing. It was the kind of night that kept the script simple: the Bruins fell behind in the opening minute, settled in, and then squeezed the life out of the game from there. After the teams were tied 1-1 heading into the third period, Boston did what it has now done in back-to-back games - score three times in the final frame and walk away with a 4-1 result.
Jeremy Swayman played a major part in making that happen, turning aside chances after the early goal and helping Boston avoid a bigger hole. From there, the Bruins leaned on the same formula that has carried them through these first nine games: tight margins, steady poise, and enough depth to make the difference late.
That was the point David Pastrnak made after the win, and he didn’t sound surprised by the way this group is handling close games.
"We are comfortable playing in those tight games, " said Pastrnak, per Belle Fraser of BostonBruins.com. "We are little bit more mature than last year, even though we have more younger guys, but they’ve been playing really well.
They came up big for us many times. It’s just a certain calmness in the group."
That calmness showed up again in Southern California, and the young players were right in the middle of it. James Hagens helped set up Matthew Poitras for an insurance goal against Anaheim on Friday night in the third period. Then against the Kings, Marat Khusnutdinov delivered the game-winner by jabbing home a loose puck after Poitras did the work to create the chance.
That’s the kind of contribution the Bruins are going to need if they’re going to stay in the postseason picture. The season is still only nine games old, with 75 to go, but Boston has already shown that it can survive the sort of games it expects to play all year. And if the younger players keep stepping into those moments, the early returns will look even better.
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Bruins Suddenly Have A Goalie Decision Before Kings Game
The Bruins kept rolling with a 4-2 win over the Ducks, stretching their winning streak to four games and pushing their record to 6-2-0. It was another encouraging night for a team that has found a rhythm early, with the group continuing to stack points as it heads into its next test against the Kings.
Boston also got a notable boost from its crease in Anaheim, and that now leaves a familiar kind of question hanging over the next game in Los Angeles. The Bruins have a decision to make on how they want to handle goal in the short term, and after a stretch like this, it is the sort of choice that could matter as much as the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Slow Start Couldnt Stop A Breakout Fans Needed To See
A sluggish opening did little to derail the Bruins in Anaheim, where they steadied themselves and left with a needed win over a team that had given them trouble for a while. The victory pushed Boston to 6-2-0 and snapped a five-game losing streak against the Ducks, while the group in front of its backup goalie eventually found enough rhythm to turn the night around.
Michael DiPietro handled the rest with 25 saves in a performance that fit the moment for a team navigating a back-to-back road trip. Bostons offense also did its part with power-play goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm before Matthew Poitras added insurance to close it out, a mix of production and response that should matter to a club still sorting out its early-season identity. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Got The Response They Needed From An Unlikely Source
The Bruins needed a lift after spotting Anaheim a two-goal first-period lead, and they found it in a night that had a little bit of everything. Boston rallied for a 4-2 win behind goals from Frederic Brunet, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm and Matt Poitras, while the special teams did their part with a 3-for-4 power play and a perfect penalty kill.
Michael DiPietro was the one steadying the whole thing from there, turning aside 25 shots and giving Boston exactly the kind of response it was looking for. For a team trying to keep momentum going, getting that sort of calm, timely work in net from an unexpected source can matter just as much as the comeback itself. [Read more 🡒]