The Olympics are moving along, and there are four Bruins on the schedule for today. 

In Boston, a lot has gone right this season. The Bruins needed that to happen in order to have success; at the Olympic break, enough has. Also, two members of the team skated in the Olympics yesterday, while the other two were scratched. Outside of Boston, four members of the Providence Bruins represented the team at the AHL All-Star Classic last night. 

Around the league, there have been surprises in Pittsburgh this year. The Penguins are also in the playoff picture, and they, like the Bruins, needed a lot of things to go right to have a shot at the postseason. Toronto should be looking at trades, but they do not need to bring the whole house down. Also, Columbus is looking to make some moves via contract extensions. 

And there’s a lot to lose, and some to gain, as some Devils players suit up in Milan.

Happy Thursday, the weekend is almost here. Today’s Daily Bean: 

Boston Bruins

WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: The Bruins are 32-20-2 at the Olympic break. They sit in the second wild card position with 69 points. They have been lifted by their first line, power play, youth, and goaltending, as well as the coaches they hired in the offseason.  

OLYMPIC CHECK IN: Two players played in day one of the Men’s Tournament yesterday, but neither made it to the scoresheet. The other two were scratched. 

Four Bruins prospects are on the schedule for today. David Pastrnak in the 10:40 AM timeslot; Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will play Dans Locmelis at 3:10 PM. 

Mike Sullivan announced that Connor Hellebuyck will start in the first game, per Michael Russo. 

Prospects Update

THE AHL: Patrick Brown had a goal and an assist, and Frederic Brunet had two assists in last night’s AHL All-Star Classic. The Atlantic Division, led by Providence coach Ryan Mougenel, finished 2-1 in the tournament. 

Cole Chandler had an assist in Shawinigan’s 6-3 loss to Charlottetown last night.

The Maine Mariners lost in Estero, FL, last night, 4-2, to the Florida Everblades (STL). They play them again on Friday night at 7:30 PM. 

Spittin’ Chiclets Game Notes (video via YouTube): Bruins 2024 first-round pick Dean Letourneau joined Mike Grinnell, Colby Armstrong, and Matt Murley fresh off a Beanpot win. Letourneau spoke about being drafted by the Bruins, playing in the Beanpot, and his decision to play at BC last year. 

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The other team that wears the black and gold has also had a great season this year. From pulling themselves out of a dark December slump, to their goalie trade, to the resurgence of 37-year-old Evgeni Malkin, oh, and former Bruin Parker Wotherspoon helps too. Dan Kingerski has the five surprises from the Penguins’ season so far. 

Toronto Hockey Now: The “foundation’s not broken” in Toronto, according to Frankie Corrado. He also believes a rebuild should not be in order. A player that could be on the trade block is Oliver Ekman-Larsson; the Maple Leafs should examine whether he would give them a solid return for the Swedish defenseman in order to set themselves up for success next season.

RG.org: Jimmy Murphy reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets want to extend forwards Charlie Coyle, captain Boone Jenner, and recently-acquired Mason Marchment. All three forwards are in the last year of their current contracts. Since the Blue Jackets hired Rick Bowness off the TNT panel, they have gone 10-1-0; they are four points behind the Bruins for the final wildcard in the East.  

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils have seven Olympians in Milan. James Nichols looks at them as those who have the most to gain and who have the most to lose. There’s not a ton on the line for Devils captain Nico Hischier, but no one on the Devils’ roster has more to lose than Jack Hughes. 

Finally, the Olympics. 

Sportsnet: It only took one game to get the first upset of the Olympics. Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) scored twice, and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj (MIN) stopped 38 Finnish shots as the Slovaks picked up a 3-1 win. Slafkovsky was the MVP of the 2022 Olympics. Dalibor Dvorsky (STL) scored the other Slovakia goal. 

Sportsnet: Italian goaltender Damian Clara (ANA) was the story from the nightcap in Milan. He had a spectacular performance, making 46 saves on 49 shots before leaving due to an injury. The Swedish team had to fight to beat him, getting three by before he left the game; they added two more (one empty-net) after the goalie change. Sweden won 5-2 and finished the game with 60 shots, which is the most in a single game in the “NHL era.”

Today’s Olympics Schedule

6:10 AM (M): Switzerland 4 vs. 0 France (box score, video highlights)

8:20 AM (W): Finland 0 vs. 5 Canada (box score)

10:40 AM (M): Czechia vs. Canada (USA Network)

3:10 PM (M): Germany vs. Denmark (Peacock) – airing at 8:00 PM on USA

3:10 PM (M):  United States vs. Latvia (USA Network) – airing at 11:00 PM on USA

Tomorrow’s Olympic Schedule

6:10 AM (M): Finland vs. Sweden (Peacock)

6:10 AM (M): Italy vs. Slovakia (Peacock)

10:40 AM (W): Czechia vs. Sweden (Peacock) – Quarterfinal

10:40 AM (M): France vs. Czechia (Peacock) 

3:10 PM (M): Canada vs. Switzerland (Peacock)

3:10 PM (W): USA vs. Italy (USA Network) – Quarterfinal