The Boston Bruins picked up their first regulation road win since January 17 last night.
And it was a very big one. They took down the Red Wings, who entered the game with the same record, on their home ice, and gained ground in the playoff race. The Bruins are now two points, as well as two regulation wins, ahead of the Red Wings.
What a night it was for Jeremy Swayman, who made 41 saves. The Bruins who met with the media sung his praise to the reporters in Detroit after the game.
And a lot of attention turns to James Hagens, the Bruins’ first-round pick in 2025, as his college season ended on Friday night.
Around the league, the Canadiens picked up a win, as did the Penguins and Blue Jackets. The Eastern playoff race is in full swing, and like Nikita Zadorov said last night, “Everybody’s losing on the West, but everybody’s winning on the East.”
Leon Draisaitl is in Germany, and AJ Greer will get no more than a five game suspension.
Also, the Merrimack Warriors are Hockey East champions.
Happy Sunday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
BRUINS WIN: The Boston Bruins (39-23-8) picked up a very big win over the Detroit Red Wings (38-24-8) yesterday on the road at Little Caesars Arena. Nikita Zadorov’s second goal of the season, and first since October 16, was the game-winner, and Elias Lindholm scored his first 5-on-5 goal since the Olympic break.
BREAK APART: Jeremy Swayman stole the show. He made 41 saves and finished with 2.17 goals saved above expected. Alongside milestones for David Pastrnak and slump-breaking nights from Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie, Swayman’s performance helped lift the Bruins to a crucial two points.
Prospects Update Hagens Watch
All eyes are on James Hagens, and Emily Kaplan had not one but two updates on that situation yesterday.
“The hold up is conversations between Hagens and the Bruins about what that path forward looks like,” Kaplan said during the Bruins-Red Wings game yesterday. “Typically, the Bruins like their prospects to start and play a little bit in the AHL. Meanwhile, I heard from Hagens’ perspective, his priority is, ‘what can I do so I have the best chance of playing 82 games in the NHL next season.’”
WICKED BOSTON SHOW (video via YouTube): I joined good friend Cam Stuart on the Wicked Boston Show for a discussion about the Bruins. One of the topics was James Hagens. Check out our discussion about Hagens, where he can fit, and what his path should be.
I will follow this up by saying we talked about this before Lukas Reichel joined the third line, and before Kaplan’s report.
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Detroit Hockey Now: It was a game they should have won, Bob Duff says. Check out the other side of coverage from last night’s game.
Sportsnet ‘Saturday Headlines’: AJ Greer is having a phone hearing for this. That means his maximum suspension will be a maximum of five games. Elliotte Friedman has the latest on interference suspensions; none have been longer than Bruins’ legend Brett Connolly’s four-game suspension when he was playing with Chicago in 2021.
Montreal Hockey Now: Death, taxes, and Cole Caufield on Saturday night. The Canadiens dismantled the Islanders, and Mr. Saturday Night had a hat-trick. Marc Dumont has the instant analysis and highlights from that game.
The Canadiens rank ahead of the Bruins because they have a game in hand.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins pushed ahead in the Metropolitan Division race, and they did it in a shootout. That has been a rare feat in Pittsburgh this season; they just picked up their second win in 12 shootouts this season. Dan Kingerski has more from the Penguins’ win over the Jets.
The Penguins, like the Bruins and Canadiens, are at 86 points.
Also, after a controversial non-goaltender interference call, Penguins PR printed the rules and handed them out to media outlets in the press box.
Penguins team with an absolute shot across the NHL’s bow. PR handing this out to media during intermission. The even highlighted for us: pic.twitter.com/jy7jowtT3D
— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) March 21, 2026
NHL.com: The Blue Jackets also picked up a win yesterday, beating the Seattle Kraken 5-2. They remain third in the Metropolitan Division, only sitting a point behind the Penguins, but also one behind the Bruins.
Sportsnet: Leon Draisaitl is in Germany, and he did an interview at a Bayern Munich soccer game. He will be undergoing treatment from a well-known sports doctor, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, who also worked with Auston Matthews last season.
College Hockey News: Merrimack picked up the Hockey East title last night, 2-1, at the TD Garden. They took down UConn, who ended the season of six Bruins’ prospects on Friday night. “We’re effing champions,” Scott Borek, Merrimack’s coach, said after the game.
They are off to the NCAA tournament.
The selection show is at 3:00 PM today on ESPNU. Here is College Hockey News’ final projections for the 16-team tournament.
Today’s NHL Schedule
Jets @ Rangers, 12:00 PM
Avalanche @ Capitals, 12:30 PM (US: NHLN, CA: SN1)
Hurricanes @ Penguins, 3:00 PM (CA: SN1)
Predators @ Blackhawks, 3:00 PM
Blue Jackets @ Islanders, 7:00 PM – big one for playoff implications
Golden Knights @ Stars, 7:00 PM (US: NHLN, CA: SN)
Lightning @ Flames, 8:00 PM
Sabres @ Ducks, 8:00 PM
Kings @ Mammoth, 9:00 PM
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