Bruins Face Sharks in Crucial Home Game After Costly Loss

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Bruins return to TD Garden on Monday afternoon to face the San Jose Sharks, seeking redemption after a devastating 6-5 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. The Bruins squandered a two-goal lead in the final four minutes of regulation, a collapse that left star forward David Pastrnak frustrated.

“That’s obviously on us, can’t happen, especially in games like this where big points are on the table,” Pastrnak said after the game. The Bruins, now 22-19-6, are struggling to maintain consistency, having been outshot in their last six games, including a 132-70 shot deficit over the past three.

Boston will be without key defenseman Charlie McAvoy for the third straight game due to injury, while Hampus Lindholm continues to recover from a lower-body ailment. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who has faced over 40 shots in three consecutive games, will be replaced by Joonas Korpisalo in net. Trent Frederic is also sidelined due to illness.

The Sharks, meanwhile, enter the game with a 14-28-6 record, having lost five of their last six games. San Jose is missing goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (illness) and leading scorer Tyler Toffoli (lower-body injury). Rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, leads the Sharks with 32 points in 36 games.

Monday’s game marks a homecoming for several Sharks players, including Massachusetts natives Will Smith, Collin Graf, and Henry Thrun. First-year coach Ryan Warsofsky, a Marshfield High School alum, will also return to familiar territory.

The Bruins have dominated the Sharks in recent years, winning 13 straight matchups since March 15, 2016. San Jose, with the worst goal differential in the league at minus-47, faces an uphill battle against a Bruins team eager to rebound.

Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at TD Garden, with pregame coverage beginning at noon on NESN and WBZ-FM 98.5.