Bruins bid to build momentum in matinee vs. Rangers
Perhaps a little home cooking was all that the Boston Bruins needed for an early spark in 2026.
After a workmanlike performance in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday, the Bruins look to bank their second straight victory at TD Garden when they host the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
"Any time we can get back in front of our fans here at the Garden, there's nothing better than playing in front of them, playing at home," Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei said. "No lack of energy there."
Thursday's team effort especially was meaningful after what the Bruins considered to be a disappointing end to their recent five-game road trip, going 1-for-4 on the penalty kill and allowing the Seattle Kraken to break open a 2-2 game with four straight goals in a 7-4 Tuesday defeat.
Boston did all of its scoring against Calgary at 5-on-5, taking a 2-0 lead after one period and expanding it to 4-0 in the second. Elias Lindholm's third goal in four games was the eventual game-winner.
Sean Kuraly (one goal, one assist), Lohrei and Casey Mittelstadt also scored in support of Joonas Korpisalo (28 saves), who earned his first win since Dec. 11 and played for just the third time since with Jeremy Swayman on a strong run.
Despite the down night in Seattle, Boston has won three of its last four games and taken points in four of five (3-1-1).
"Overall, I'm very pleased with where we are at right now. Sure, there are some stretches and games I would like to have back, but I think at this point now, at least I think everyone knows how we have to play, how we have to defend, how we have to be in transition," Bruins coach Marco Sturm said. "Being more consistent, I think that's going to be the next step."
The Rangers -- the best road team (15-8-2) and worst home team (5-11-4) in the Eastern Conference this season -- are 1-3-2 in their last six games. They dropped a 5-2 decision to the surging Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck each scored a goal for New York, which placed goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox (long-term) on injured reserve Tuesday with lower-body ailments. Fox had just returned from missing 14 games with a lower-body injury.
Captain J.T. Miller returned to the Rangers lineup, registering an assist. He also was on the top power-play unit, where Vladislav Gavrikov replaced Fox.
"(Shesterkin and Fox) are two of our best players, if not our best players," defenseman Braden Schneider said this week. "We're in the race, so we can't take a look back and feel bad for ourselves because a bad week and you're in last and a good week you're right back in it."
Trocheck (three goals, three assists) and Artemi Panarin (two goals, eight assists) are both riding five-game point streaks, with the former scoring goals in back-to-back contests. Zibanejad has points in four straight (four goals, five assists).
Though those key players have been New York's best offensive sources lately, coach Mike Sullivan felt that the bottom two forward lines -- centered by Jonny Brodzinski and Sam Carrick -- contributed well on Thursday. There were bright moments, but not enough for a win.
"When you get balanced scoring through your lineup, it certainly helps your chances of winning," Sullivan said. "If those guys can chip in the odd time, it's certainly going to help us, that's for sure. I thought they had some real good chances for us (on Thursday). At the end of the day, it's about finishing."