Blackhawks Face Bruins in Late Season Clash at TD Garden

BOSTON, Mass. — The Chicago Blackhawks travel to TD Garden tonight to face the Boston Bruins, with both teams struggling as the regular season nears its conclusion. The matchup is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CHSN and NESN.

This marks the Bruins’ first absence from the playoffs since the 2015-16 season, following their elimination from contention last weekend. The team currently grapples with a battle against the Philadelphia Flyers for the lowest position in the Eastern Conference, exacerbated by recent trades of veterans like Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle.

“We’ve faced a lot of adversity this season,” said Bruins coach Joe Sacco. “We lost key players and had to adjust. Now, we are focusing on the future with the draft just around the corner.”

Boston’s struggles are highlighted by a 1-8-1 record over their last ten games, during which they were outscored 41-21, diminishing their top-six offensive core. Despite this, David Pastrnak continues to be a standout performer, reaching the 100-point mark for the third consecutive season.

The Blackhawks, on the other hand, are looking to shake off a disappointing 5-0 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins, hoping for redemption after a previous victory over the same team. Coach Anders Sorensen acknowledges the need for immediate improvement.

“We need to focus on playing a complete game,” Sorensen said. “Tonight’s game is crucial for us to set the tone for the upcoming season.”

The Blackhawks will see some changes in their lineup, notably the addition of rookie Landon Slaggert and the return of veteran forward Pat Maroon. They will ice Oliver Moore on the top line alongside Connor Bedard and Ilya Mikheyev, aiming to create a stronger offensive presence.

With Connor Murphy and Wyatt Kaiser sidelined due to illness, the defense will be tested further, leaving Arvid Soderblom in goal for Chicago. The defense shakes up further with Alex Vlasic and Sam Rinzel as the top pairing, offering little room for error.

Tonight’s game is set to be pivotal as both teams look to salvage their seasons in what could be a preview of draft lottery positioning. The Bruins’ lineup maintains consistency from their previous practice, aside from potential game-time decisions related to injuries.

The last match-up between the Blackhawks and Bruins saw Chicago losing 4-2 in December, with Jason Dickinson and Vlasic scoring for the Blackhawks. Stats indicate struggles for both teams, with Chicago sitting at the bottom of various offensive metrics.

“We will work on our weaknesses and aim for improvement in all areas,” added Sorensen.

As the regular season winds down, the stakes heighten for both squads. Fans can tune into the action tonight at TD Garden, with the atmosphere sure to feel the weight of both teams’ challenges.