Devils Look to Clinch Playoff Berth as Bruins Continue to Search for Silver Linings

Devils Look to Clinch Playoff Berth as Bruins Continue to Search for Silver Linings

Devils Look to Clinch Playoff Berth as Bruins Continue to Search for Silver Linings

Tonight's matchup between the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils feels like a game of two very different energies—and very different missions.

As the puck drops at the Prudential Center in Newark, the Devils come in riding a wave of confidence. With 89 points and a strong 41-29-7 record, they're sitting comfortably in third place in the Metropolitan Division. A single point tonight—just one—is all they need to officially clinch a playoff berth. It’s a big night in Jersey, and they know it.

The Bruins? Well, they’re in a very different place.

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At 31-38-9, Boston has been struggling to stay afloat. Their recent 6-3 loss to Buffalo served as a harsh reminder of where this season has gone. Still, you have to admire the grit from guys like David Pastrnak, who refuses to go quietly. He’s been on a tear, with 12 points in his last five games (5 goals, 7 assists), trying to pull something positive out of a difficult campaign.

Tonight's lineups reflect where each team stands. Boston’s roster is dealing with significant injuries—Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Mark Kastelic are all out—which means depth players like Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, and Vinni Lettieri are getting big minutes. Meanwhile, the Devils have their own injury woes—Jack Hughes is done for the season, and Dougie Hamilton is still skating solo—but they’ve managed to keep momentum rolling.

New Jersey’s special teams are sharp: their power play ranks third in the league (28%) and their penalty kill sits fourth (82.4%). It’s part of what makes them dangerous, even when not at full strength. Jesper Bratt is nearly at a point-per-game pace, and Nico Hischier—leading a Selke Trophy-worthy campaign—is heating up with 9 points in his last five.

This is the first of two matchups between these teams this week, with the season finale taking place in Boston on April 15. The Devils won their last meeting 5-1 back in January, and with home ice tonight and playoff pressure looming, they’re expected to bring the heat again.

As for the Bruins, it’s about finding the silver linings—watching Pastrnak work his magic, seeing how younger players step up, and maybe even playing spoiler just a bit. For Boston fans, there’s still joy to be found, even in a rebuilding year.

It all goes down at 7 PM ET, broadcast on NESN+ and MSG. So whether you’re watching with playoff excitement or with quiet hope for the future, this one’s still got a story worth tuning into.

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