The Boston Bruins will attempt to extend their four-game winning streak on Thursday when they host Atlantic Division rivals the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. EST. The contest marks the first matchup between the two clubs this season.
Team Form and Season Records
Boston enters the matchup with a 13-4-1 overall record and a 1-1-0 mark against Atlantic Division opponents. The Bruins boast a plus-26 goal differential, having scored 67 goals while allowing 41. Over their past 10 games, Boston has compiled a 7-2-1 record, averaging 3.7 goals, 5.8 assists, and 14.8 penalty minutes per game while surrendering 2.3 goals per contest.
The Canadiens travel to Boston with an 11-3-4 overall record, including an unblemished 5-0-0 record against divisional opponents. Montreal has gone 7-0-3 across its previous 10 games, producing an average of 3.5 goals, 6.2 assists, and 11.4 penalty minutes while yielding 2.5 goals against per game. The Canadiens also hold an 8-2-3 record when scoring three or more goals.
Key Skaters and Injury Updates
David Pastrnak has paced the Bruins’ attack with eight goals and 16 assists on the season, while defenseman Charlie McAvoy has provided eight assists over the last 10 games. For the Canadiens, Nicholas Suzuki leads the way with seven goals and nine assists, supported by Cole Caufield, who has totaled six goals and five assists in his last 10 outings.
On the injury front, the Bruins will be without James Hagens because of a back issue. The Canadiens face multiple absences, with Mike Matheson, Ivan Demidov, and Samuel Montembeault ruled out with lower-body injuries, Lucas Condotta and Bryce Pickford sidelined with undisclosed issues, and Jake Evans listed as day to day due to a hand injury.
