The Boston Bruins return to TD Garden ice tomorrow; they hit Warrior Ice Arena today for a rare March practice. 

No, James Hagens has not signed a professional contract. 

The rest of the prospects continue to tear apart their leagues, highlighted by five points in two games for Cooper Simpson and six prospects on NCAA tournament teams. 

Around the league, the Blue Jackets lost a game. It is their first regulation loss since they were in Boston on February 26. With the loss, the Islanders are back in a playoff position. AJ Greer got suspended, and, color me surprised, there was another controversial goaltender interference last night. 

Rest in peace, Jessi Pierce and her three children, Hudson, Cayden, and Avery. Tragic news was reported on Sunday, a housefire claimed the lives of Jessi, 37, and her 8, 6, and 4-year-old children. Pierce covered the Minnesota Wild for years, most recently with NHL.com. 

Here is a link to the GoFundMe to support Jessi’s husband, Mike. 

Happy Monday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

The Bruins still remain in the first wildcard. They are tied with the Canadiens in points, and the Islanders are one point behind. 

There is only one game on Monday. The Senators are five points behind the Bruins with a game in hand, but will be even in games played by the end of the night. 

Prospects Update

PROSPECTS NOTEBOOK: It’s Hagens watch in Boston, or maybe Providence. The Bruins also have several prospects gearing up for the NCAA tournament. Check out how the prospects are doing in this week’s prospect notebook. 

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet (video via 𝕏): Connor McDavid called the Pacific Division “a pillow fight” late Saturday night. The Red Wings, who sit outside of the playoffs, have more points (84) than the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights (82). 

But, on Sunday, the Flames beat the Lightning 4-3, and the Ducks beat the Sabres 6-5. 

NHL.com: The big game yesterday in the Eastern Conference playoff race only featured one goal. The Islanders shut out the Blue Jackets and slid into the second wildcard spot. 

The Bruins are one point ahead of the Islanders and have one game in hand.

B/R Open Ice (video via 𝕏): What is goalie interference? The Penguins’ PR team handed out flyers explaining the rule on Saturday after a blatant goaltender interference was missed. Then, on Sunday, the same people overturned this call. 

This goal was called BACK due to goalie interference on Lee to keep it 1-0 Isles in a HUGE Eastern Conference playoff race game ❌

Thoughts? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZPRy2Ip17e

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 23, 2026

Florida Hockey Now: AJ Greer got hit with a three-game suspension for this hit on Connor Zary. The Flames scored twice on a seven-minute power play after the hit, and neither player returned to the game. 

Three games. That is all he got. 

Sportsnet: The Dallas Stars clinched a playoff spot last night, even after a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Also, the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated – the first team to go. 

Colorado is the only other team to have clinched.

ESPN: Alex Ovechkin scored his 1,000th goal yesterday, if you combine regular-season and playoff goals. He is the second person in league history to do so, only behind the Great One. He has 26 goals this season, and his contract expires at the end of the year.

College Hockey News: Here’s a look at the 2026 NCAA Tournament Regionals. The 16-team bracket was revealed yesterday.

The Athletic: Here is a touching story remembering Jessi Pierce and her family. 

Today’s NHL Schedule

Senators @ Rangers, 7:30 PM (US: NHLN, CA: Prime)

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