Bruins Face Avalanche in Crucial NHL Matchup Amid Injury Challenges

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins, grappling with injuries to key players, are set to host the Colorado Avalanche in a pivotal NHL matchup Saturday at TD Garden. The game, scheduled for 1 p.m., will be broadcast on NESN and NHL Network.

Despite missing top defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, and with goaltender Jeremy Swayman listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, the Bruins are coming off a strong performance against Ottawa. Bruins coach Joe Sacco expressed cautious optimism about Swayman’s availability for the game.

The Avalanche, leading the Western Conference Wild Card standings, have struggled recently, winning only two of their last six games. They are looking to rebound from a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets, where Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar continued their scoring streaks.

Boston’s recent success has been fueled by David Pastrnak, who is on a six-game point streak, and linemates Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha, who have combined for 13 points in the same period. The Bruins have outscored the Avalanche 13-8 in their last three meetings.

Both teams are navigating through injuries and lineup changes, with Colorado adjusting to the recent trade of Mikko Rantanen and integrating new players like Martin Necas and Jack Drury. The game’s outcome could hinge on the performance of these new additions and the depth players stepping up in critical roles.

As the regular season progresses, every game becomes crucial for playoff positioning. This matchup not only offers a chance for both teams to solidify their standings but also serves as a test of their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.