The Boston Bruins had the day off yesterday but are back to work today as they look to sweep their four-game road trip tomorrow night. 

The Bruins sit at the top of the Atlantic Division, two points ahead of the Lightning, Senators, and Panthers. They have won their last five, and they are second in the league with a plus-15 goal differential. A big part of that has been the contributions from the young players, including Matt Poitras, who has capitalized on the opportunity he has been given. However, that left Sean Kuraly boxed out of the lineup, putting him in unfamiliar territory. 

Elsewhere around the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for defensive help. The new GM is reportedly not done making moves. There are some under-the-radar trade candidates, as well as more Connor Hellebuyck rumors. The Penguins are in a rut, the Devils are .500 but lead the league in shots on goal, and the Flyers are banged up. 

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

Boston Bruins

POITRAS/KURALY: One player’s opportunity means another goes to the press box. Matt Poitras has five points (3-2–5) in six games and has taken advantage of the opportunity Marco Sturm has provided. However, Sean Kuraly, for the first time in his career, has been a healthy scratch. Kuraly returned to the lineup after five games and played 14:29 on Saturday. 

NEXT UP: The Bruins return to practice this afternoon at American Airlines Center in Dallas. They will have a morning skate at 12:30 PM (11:30 AM CT) ahead of their 8:00 PM game. 

P-BRUINS: It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Providence Bruins this season. They are 2-5-0, but picked up their second win of the season yesterday against Hershey. Mikey Eyssimont recorded his second hat trick of the season, while Jake Schmaltz, Brendan Gaunce, and Brian Halonen added goals. 

Through four games, Eyssimont has seven goals. He is now tied for second in the AHL.

Mikey Eyssimont records his second hat trick of the season in Providence

He’s up to 7 goals on the year (in four games) and is tied for the AHL league lead https://t.co/dFbO6ydP01

— Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) October 18, 2026

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Toronto Hockey Now: The Maple Leafs made a big trade for Kirill Marchenko, but John Chayka may not be done. The new GM is looking for defensive help, but not a “Band-Aid solution.” If the Maple Leafs believe they are getting a difference maker, “they will pay a premium asset,” according to Elliotte Friedman. 

Brandon Carlo was a premium asset, and he fetched the Bruins a first, Fraser Minten, and a fourth (Vashek Blanár). 

The Athletic: It’s still very early in the season, but how about some under-the-radar trade candidates? The Athletic has 32, one for every team, and that includes the Bruins’ 22-year-old taking advantage of his opportunity. 

Sportsnet: Ahh, Connor Hellebuyck. That name will be a hot topic this week. Could the Utah Mammoth be a fit? Neither Karel Vejmelka (.879 SV%) nor Sebastian Cossa’s (.839) numbers jump off the page, but Michael Amato writes that the Mammoth are a goalie away from being a championship contender. (The Coyotes have come a long way). There’s more on that in this week’s Sunday Overreactions. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas stockpiled young talent, but his offseason moves left those prospects without room on the NHL roster. The Penguins are reportedly looking to move on from some veterans, and Dan Kingerski explains why Dubas deserves both credit and criticism for the situation he created.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Pucks on net. The Devils have been pretty good at that so far, outshooting their opponents in each of their first eight games of the season. James Nichols dives into the numbers, and history is split on what is next for the Devils. 

Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers have gotten off to a 6-3-1 start, which includes a 5-0-0 record at home. It’s a major step up from where they were at this point last year, even with some injuries in the crease. Jim Cerny puts his professors’ cap on and dishes out some grades. 

Carolina Hockey Now: Any given Sunday, I guess. The Calgary Flames snapped the Carolina Hurricanes’ seven-game win streak last night. The Hurricanes were battling some injuries, including one to Taylor Hall, but their final game at the Saddledome ended with a 3-2 Calgary win. 

Philly Hockey Now: More injuries in Philadelphia. The Flyers, who were already without Cam York, Rasmus Ristolainen, Travis Konecny, and Owen Tippett, did not have Tyson Foerster and Sean Couturier at practice on Sunday. Will James has more from Flyers’ practice. 

Today’s NHL Schedule

Ducks at Rangers – 7:00 PM

Avalanche at Flyers – 7:00 PM

Sharks at Maple Leafs – 7:30 PM (CA: SN+)

Penguins at Mammoth – 9:00 PM (CA: SN+)

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