“Boston’s Nikita Zadorov has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for cross-checking Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin,” the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety announced on its social media, @NHLPlayerSafety.

The Bruins are truly up against the ropes. Down 3–1 in the series and set to go back to KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where the home fans will turn the barn into mayhem. Zadorov has been handed no suspension, though, and the Spoked B will hope to turn things around before it’s too late.

Something has got to change for Boston, and that was made clear after Marco Sturm ripped the Bruins apart following the 6–1 defeat against the Sabres.

Zadorov has been a penalty machine

Drafted by the Sabres with a first-round pick in 2013, Zadorov clearly had no love for his former NHL club in the first-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So far in the postseason, Zadorov has recorded 37 penalty minutes (PIM).

That’s already a postseason career high for the Russian blueliner, who is coming off another career high in PIM during the 2025–26 regular season (152 penalty minutes). In Games 2 and 4, Zadorov missed 16 and 17 minutes, respectively, due to penalties.

Bruins could punish Zadorov

In addition to the news of the $5,000 fine from the NHL, Sturm and the Bruins may be handing down a punishment of their own to Zadorov. According to reporter Bridgette Proulx, Zadorov was absent from the team’s practice on Monday, as was Viktor Arvidsson. The latter had left Game 4 with an injury, but Zadorov showed no signs of being hurt.

Thus, considering he’s been a liability on the ice, it may all indicate Zadorov may serve as a healthy scratch as Boston faces elimination in Game 5. The Sabres are indeed scoreless on the power play so far, but it’s only a matter of time before they break the drought. If Zadorov continues to gift Buffalo man-advantage opportunities, it could well be sooner rather than later.

Nothing could’ve gone worse for Boston in Game 4 of the first-round series against Buffalo. It was as if the Bruins never made it out of the locker room in the first period, and the Sabres ran circles around them. Swayman was left out to dry by his teammates, and the 4–0 lead at the first intermission meant it was over just one period into the game. There was nothing Swayman could do as he was under siege all afternoon.

Sturm decided to end his goalie’s night after the Sabres scored their sixth of the day. As he left the ice and headed down the tunnel, Swayman had words for his bench, and they weren’t the nicest ones. Sturm didn’t beat around the bush after the game as his team is now on the brink of elimination in the 2025-26 NHL campaign.

“At least one guy [had some fire today],” Sturm stated during his postgame media availability, per reporter Bridgette Proulx. “It was not his fault today, I can tell you that. I felt bad for him. That’s why we kept him in there for a while, because he’s a battler, he wants to be in.”

Bruins take the fall for pathetic effort in Game 4

The Sabres barely had any opposition all game long. They blew the Bruins out of the water en route to their biggest postseason victory since the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As the Bruins were embarrassed to look themselves in the eye after the game, the leaders in the locker room bit the bullet.

“If we’re not (expletive) embarrassed with what just happened, then I don’t know what to say,” Charlie McAvoy admitted. “Wasted opportunity. Unacceptable. To show up like that in the first period is unacceptable,” David Pastrnak noted. “It starts with me. It starts with the leaders on the ice,” Sturm concluded.

Bruins’ playoff ghosts are back

If it hadn’t been for Sean Kuraly’s late goal to spoil Alex Lyon’s shutout and make it 6–1, the Bruins would have gone almost 100 minutes (97:34) without scoring a goal against the Sabres. Sturm’s comments about how Boston was stronger and bigger than Buffalo are aging poorly, and there have been no signs of such superiority as the first-round series has been played in Beantown.

Boston is 3–10 in its last 13 playoff games (since the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs). Far from a fortress, TD Garden has become a haunted house for the Spoked B. However, it hasn’t been that way for the Boston Celtics, who are 17–11 at home in the playoffs since 2023, and they call TD Garden home as well. Clearly, it has nothing to do with the venue itself, and everything lies in the hands of the Bruins organization.

Boston faces elimination

The margin for error is now razor thin for Sturm and the Bruins. Making it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025–26 NHL season was quite an accomplishment not many saw coming, and Sturm proved he can lead this team.

However, such a deflating series against the Sabres could actually set the Spoked B back. Boston has its back against the wall, and if the Bruins don’t show their claws now, it will be too late. Perhaps it already is.

“Yeah well, you heard [Sturm] said they’re bigger and more physical, so yeah, for sure. I’m a little worried,“ Ruff stated during his postgame press conference after Boston defeated Buffalo in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ first round.

Ruff’s comment was a clear dig at Sturm’s message prior to Game 1. Not only did the Bruins put the Sabres on notice with a comment on how Boston’s squad is bigger and stronger, but Sturm doubled down on his warning to Buffalo. His words didn’t fall on deaf ears, and Ruff has now fired back.

Ruff has always been vocal

Buffalo’s head coach has never been one to mince words or sugarcoat his honest thoughts. After Game 1, Ruff pushed back on the narrative surrounding the Sabres and their lack of playoff experience in the NHL. Following Game 2—although Buffalo fell by a score of 4–2—Ruff didn’t shy away from the spotlight.

This series is shaping up to be a candid one, and the head coaches are setting the tone for their players. If the bench bosses are going at it, why wouldn’t the players on the ice follow suit? It’s been a chippy series so far, but fans can expect the vitriol to rise even further in the upcoming bouts.

Recap of Sabres vs Bruins series so far

Through the opening two games of the series, both teams have shown their hands. Boston has dominated most of the action in both outings and jumped out to multi-goal leads. However, Buffalo has proven it can come to life in the third period and completely turn the tables. The Sabres know they must play a full 60-minute game. Still, a late surge in Game 1 was enough for them to win their first Stanley Cup Playoff game in 15 years.

For the Bruins, such rapid comebacks served as a learning moment. Thus, when the Sabres cut a 4–0 deficit in half late in the final frame of Game 2, goalie Jeremy Swayman signaled for Sturm to call a timeout. Boston knew better than to relive its ghosts from the past in the City of Good Neighbors. In the end, it came away with a crucial 4–2 win.

The series now heads to the Hub for Games 3 and 4, which will be decisive. In their upcoming visit to the Walking City of America, the Sabres must walk away with at least one road victory, or the series might be over before it returns to Niagara Falls for Game 5.

Series schedule

• Game 3: Sabres at Bruins (Apr. 23)
• Game 4: Sabres at Bruins (Apr. 26)
• Game 5: Bruins at Sabres (Apr. 28)
• Game 6: Sabres at Bruins (May 1) *If necessary
• Game 7: Bruins at Sabres (May 3) *If necessary

“Yeah. Somebody had fun with it, so I’m glad that happened. At the end of the day, nobody is looking [at the games] closely enough as I do. When we are on top of our game, and we are hard on pucks, strong on pucks, we’re physical, we have a chance,” Sturm said, via WEEI.

Sturm’s comment was answering a question on the impact his recent statement on the Bruins had in Buffalo. The Sabres—fresh off snapping the longest playoff drought in NHL history—can’t hide their excitement as the Stanley Cup Playoffs return to the City of Good Neighbors. Thus, it makes sense why Sturm’s comments made that much noise in Western New York.

What had Sturm said?

With the Bruins gearing up for the first-round, Boston’s head coach sent his team a confident message. Taking on the Atlantic Division winners, the Spoked B is mostly seen as an underdog in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Sturm defied that title.

“We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart. But, we’re going to go after them,” Sturm had commented on the matchup against the Sabres.

Bruins won season series

Though Sturm’s words made noise, there is some evidence to back him up. After all, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. No other team in the NHL has had Buffalo’s number in the 2025–26 season quite like Boston has. The Bruins won the regular-season series 3–1. However, the only series fans will remember is the upcoming first-round showdown.

Playoff history between Bruins and Sabres

The Bruins are 6–2 all-time in playoff series against the Sabres. The last time both clubs met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was in 2010, when Boston advanced to the second round with a 4–2 series win. Sturm sure knows about that, as he was on Boston’s roster as a winger. Sturm played in all six games of the matchup against the Sabres.

The Bruins may not have steamrolled through the 2025–26 NHL season like the Sabres did, but they are a force to be reckoned with. The Spoked B has several players with a lengthy playoff history; Buffalo doesn’t. Most importantly, the Bruins are hungry.

“We’re hungry enough to beat them. We’re ready, so it should be a good one,” Sturm commented on the first-round matchup, via NHL.com. “People like to watch the Bruins. People like to watch Buffalo. It’s great for the league.”

Sabres eye deep postseason run

With first place in the Atlantic Division secured, the Sabres will take on the Dallas Stars in a virtually meaningless regular-season finale. Instead, the attention in the City of Good Neighbors has shifted to the Boston Bruins. The NHL has yet to announce the schedule for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but fans can hardly wait for the puck to drop. It was a long time coming for them.

Now that Buffalo has finally snapped its 14-season playoff drought (the longest in NHL history), they want more. A first-round exit is a goal no team has ever vied for, and the Sabres are no exception. The first goal was met, but they must go on a deep run.

Sabres vs Bruins: Head-to-head record

Being divisional opponents means the Sabres and Bruins have faced-off four times in the 2025-26 NHL campaign. As much success as Buffalo has had against its division and the rest of the league, Boston was its kryptonite.

The Sabres finished 1-3 against the Spoked B this season. Sturm’s team was the only side in the Atlantic that had a winning record against Lindy Ruff’s squad. Thus, the Sabres may have come away with a nightmare matchup in their first postseason appearance since 2011.

If there’s a silver lining for the Sabres, it’s the fact two of their three defeats to the Bruins were overtime losses. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the story could be very different when the two sides clash in a best-of-seven series.

Special teams could decide Sabres-Bruins series

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the rink seems to shrink. The action is tighter, and players must fight for every inch of the ice. However, they can’t afford to commit silly penalties, because that could well be the difference between winning and being eliminated. When the Sabres and Bruins collide, it’ll be no different. As it’s often the case in the postseason, special teams may play a big role.

Boston boasts the ninth-best power play in the league (operating at 23.4%). Meanwhile, the Sabres have the fourth-best penalty kill unit in the NHL (82.1 PK%). Buffalo can be dangerous even when outnumbered. The Sabres’ 10 shorthanded goals (SHG) rank third in the 2025–26 campaign. As for the Bruins, they are much more conservative when on the kill, having just two SHG to show for it.

In an evenly matched series, special teams could prove the difference. However, when it comes to the Sabres and Bruins, both have offsetting strengths. In the end, only one will prevail and move on to face the winner of the Tampa Bay Lightning–Montreal Canadiens series.

“Sturm wouldn’t commit to Hagens definitely playing Saturday, or what line he might be on,” Bruins reporter Scott McLaughlin stated on his X account after Boston’s optional skate on Thursday.

The Bruins will host the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden on Saturday before going on a short road trip to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Sunday. The Spoked B will return home for the regular season finale against the New Jersey Devils on April 14.

Playoff race for Bruins

The Bruins may be one point away from clinching a playoff spot by the time they play their next game on Saturday, April 11. If not, then Sturm might choose to roll with the lineup that got him to this point instead of sending Hagens out for his rookie lap in a crucial showdown against the Bolts. That’s the tough decision Sturm and his staff face in the home stretch of the campaign.

The Bruins are mired in a four-game losing streak with a 5-3-2 record in their last 10. Things are trending south, and the star rookie addition may be just what the team needs to find its footing. However, there’s a risk to doing so. Finding that sweet spot is paramount for Boston. If it doesn’t, it could wipe away all the progress and success it enjoyed under first-year head coach Sturm.

Hagens’ stats in 2025-26

Hagens most of the 2025-26 campaign in the NCAA, playing for the Boston College Eagles. Although Boston College had a rough year and missed the postseason, Hagens still put up solid numbers. Before being called up to the Providence Bruins in the AHL, Hagens had appeared in 34 games, registering 23 goals and 24 assists for a total of 47 points. That made for an average of 1.38 points per game in college.

In the AHL, Hagens appeared in 6 games, scoring once and recording three assists for Providence. His short stint in the affiliate was done to prevent Hagens being caught flat-footed in his NHL debut. Even Hagens agrees that was probably a good idea. “It taught me a lot. It was great to be around,” he said about his two-week stay in Providence. Now, he’s ready to take the next step.

“We were just flat,” Zadorov stated, per NHL.com. “Didn’t have emotions against Toronto Maple Leafs, that’s on us, that’s for sure. We’ve got to be better than that. It’s important points for us at home and to drop it like this, it’s embarrassing.”

Zadorov’s blunt confession should serve as a wake-up call for the Bruins. Playing in a historic NHL rivalry while in a heated playoff race, there’s no reason for them to come out flat. The Maple Leafs are looking far from their best version.

Toronto entered the game at TD Garden after suffering three straight losses and dragging a 2-6-2 record in its last 10 outings. Against the “Spoked B”, however, the Maple Leafs found their footing. The Bruins simply didn’t.

Bruins’ playoff chances

The improbable loss to the Buds caught Bruins fans by surprise. Moreover, the defeat at home hindered Boston’s playoff odds, as the playoff race in the Eastern Conference remains wide open. According to MoneyPuck, the Bruins now have a 64.3% chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

They are still favored to make the cut, but the lead over the chasing pack is narrowing. As if Boston needed any more obstacles along the way, it’s set to take on the toughest remaining schedule in the NHL, per Tankathon.

Only 3 of the Bruins’ last 11 games will be against non-current-playoff teams. If they want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins will have to take down playoff-caliber sides. It’s only fitting, but it means Boston must get back on track as soon as possible.

“It was a little depressing at the beginning, but then got me motivated… Just what I can control is, at the end of the season, it looks like I can give it my all,” Zacha said via NHL.com, reflecting on how missing out on the 2026 Winter Olympics helped shape his mindset.

Zacha is in the middle of a career year, already setting a personal best with 23 goals and closing in on his highest point total. His production has been especially important as the Bruins fight to stay in playoff position with limited margin for error.

Zacha steps up in crucial stretch

Zacha has elevated his game at a key moment in the season. During March, he has recorded eight goals and 13 points, providing consistent offense as Boston faces increased pressure in the standings.

His role as a top-six forward has become more evident, helping stabilize the Bruins’ attack while delivering timely scoring in high-stakes games. This level of performance has made him one of the team’s most reliable contributors during the playoff race.

Bruins rely on Zacha in playoff battle

With Boston locked in a tight race with Detroit and other Eastern Conference teams, Zacha’s production could play a major role in determining their postseason fate.

As the schedule intensifies, the Bruins will continue to rely on Zacha’s momentum and consistency, making him one of the most important players to watch in their push toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It’s actually pretty simple. Mutter, Bancroft, and Rizzo have yet to make their NHL debuts, and it’s now guaranteed they won’t take their rookie laps in the 2025–26 season. The three players are in the AHL, and because the minor league will have its deadline on March 13, teams can still make moves. The Bruins and Predators did just that.

The only condition for making a trade is that the players involved can’t compete in an NHL game. Thus, although the latest move was confirmed by the Bruins and Preds, it involves players who will spend the final games of the campaign with their affiliates—the Providence Bruins and Milwaukee Admirals, respectively.

Bruins brace for playoff push

After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2024–25 NHL season, the mission for the Bruins was clear in 2025–26. However, the road to the postseason in the East is truly a bloodbath, and Boston finds itself in the midst of it all.

With fewer than 20 games left on their schedule, the Bruins brace for what’s set to be a frenetic home stretch of the regular season. Boston currently owns the last wild card spot, but it’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth. The fact that the Bruins haven’t won consecutive games since January does little to help their case.

Struggling to build momentum while many teams get scorching hot, it may as well be a lethal cocktail for an organization that took a rather shy approach to the NHL trade deadline. Now, Boston may be paying the price for it.

NHL insider Emily Kaplan recently highlighted a few franchises that could be monitoring the situation. “On Vincent Trocheck, Detroit, Carolina, even Boston I’m a bit curious about.”

With the deadline approaching quickly, teams interested in Trocheck must also consider the Rangers’ reported asking price. The Rangers have made it clear that it is not in a rush to move the veteran unless the right offer arrives. It’s a challenge for any Stanley Cup contender to find the right package.

Bruins could make trade for Vincent Trocheck

Among the teams mentioned, the Bruins stand out as a particularly interesting possibility. While the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes have already been connected to Trocheck in previous reports, Kaplan’s curiosity about the Bruins suggests that Boston could be quietly exploring all options.

The Bruins have historically been aggressive when opportunities arise to strengthen their lineup for a playoff run. Right now, they have a wild card spot with 73 points, but the margin is thin.

If the Boston Bruins decide to enter the race more seriously, it would add another contender to an already competitive market. There are just a few hours before the deadline.

The veteran has already been linked to clubs such as the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes, all of whom are looking for ways to strengthen their rosters for a playoff push.

According to NHL insider Chris Johnston, another historic franchise could also be monitoring the situation. Johnston reported: “Even the Bruins I heard have some interest in Vincent Trocheck.”

Vincent Trocheck trade to Bruins?

The report by Johnston suggests that the Boston Bruins may be evaluating whether Vincent Trocheck could help reinforce their lineup during the most important stretch of the season.

If the Bruins seriously enter the race, it would add another potential destination for Trocheck and increase the competition among interested teams. It’s important to remember he doesn’t want to go to the West Coast.

With the Rangers reportedly maintaining a high asking price and multiple clubs still exploring the possibility of a deal, the situation remains one to watch closely in the NHL deadline.