BOSTON – The Boston Bruins (20-14-0) are back at it again tonight, and they will be hosting the Edmonton Oilers (16-12-6) as they continue to march along their five-game homestand. The Bruins are coming off a 4-1 victory against the Utah Mammoth, and are looking to continue that performance into tonight’s contest. They have gone 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and have posted a 12-5-0 home record this season, which includes the current four-game home win streak.
Edmonton, on the fourth of a five-game road trip, comes into Boston with a 6-3-1 record in their last ten games, and an 8-9-3 road record. They just picked up two points on Tuesday night in a 6-4 win over Pittsburgh. Recent trade acquisition Tristan Jarry has pitched two wins in his first two games with the Oilers, and is set to make his third straight start tonight. Leon Draisaitl just notched his 1,000th career point (now at 1,003).
Morgan Geekie’s stick is still hot. He scored twice on Tuesday night in the Bruins’ 4-1 victory, picking up his 23rd and 24th goals of the season. That is his fifth multi-goal game of the season. Geekie still ranks second in the league in goals scored, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon (28), but he leads the league in shooting percentage (min. 30 shots): 28.2% of his shots go in. He is also one goal away from 50 on the calendar year, and he would become the third Bruin (David Pastrnak, Cam Neely) to accomplish that feat.
Also, tonight is the first time that Trent Frederic will return to the TD Garden after being traded at the 2025 Trade Deadline. He skated in 337 games for the Bruins from 2018-25, picking up 55 goals and 54 assists. He added three goals and two assists in 22 postseason appearances for the Bruins. Also returning to Boston is Max Jones, who was involved in the same trade. Jones skated in seven games for the Bruins last season, but did not register a point. The two former Bruins will skate together on the fourth line for Edmonton.
Bruins Morning Skate Notes
After missing yesterday’s practice due to an illness, Marco Sturm said that Tanner Jeannot is feeling better and is expected to play in tonight’s game for the Bruins. Sturm also noted that there would be no lineup changes from Tuesday’s game, which would slot Jeannot right back onto the fourth line alongside Sean Kuraly and Mark Kastelic.
Marco Sturm also gave a brief update on the injuries that have been riddling the Bruins: “I would say [they are] not really close. Not this week, let’s put it that way. They are still a little bit away,” Sturm said, “It was nice to see Arvy out there today, but he might be, maybe, the closest one.” Viktor Arvidsson, Matej Blumel, Henri Jokiharju, Jordan Harris, and Jonathan Aspirot are all inactive due to injuries.
Expected Bruins Lines
Forward
Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Casey Mittelstadt – Pavel Zacha – Marat Khusnutdinov
Alex Steeves – Fraser Minten – Mikey Eyssimont
Tanner Jeannot – Sean Kuraly – Mark Kastelic
Extra: Jeffrey Viel
Defense
Nikita Zadorov – Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm – Andrew Peeke
Mason Lohrei – Victor Soderstrom
Extra: Vladislav Kolyachonok
Sources: Belle Fraser (Boston Bruins), Marco Sturm
Starting Goalie
Jeremy Swayman (14-8-0, 2.74 GAA, .909 SV%)
Source: Marco Sturm
Expected Oilers Lines
Forward
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin – Leon Draisaitl – Matt Savoie
Andrew Mangiapane – Adam Henrique – Mattias Janmark
Max Jones – Trent Frederic – Quinn Hutson
Defense
Mattias Ekholm – Evan Bouchard
Darnell Nurse – Spencer Stastney
Riley Stillman – Ty Emberson
Source: Tony Brar, Oilers TV
Starting Goalie
Tristan Jarry (2-0-0, 3.50 GAA, .879 SV%) *with Edmonton
Source: Tony Brar, Oilers TV
Special Teams
Boston’s power play has been a strength; it currently ranks tied for fifth in the league at 25.5%. Their penalty kill has taken a hit; the Bruins have allowed five power play goals in their last five games and now rank 17th in the league at 80.6%.
Edmonton boasts the league’s top power play, with a 32.6% success rate so far this season. Their penalty kill has killed 79.4% of penalties, which ranks them 21st.
Season Series
Tonight’s game kicks off the season series between the Bruins and the Oilers. The second and final meeting will take place in Edmonton, 13 days from now, and lead Bruins fans right into 2026.
Thursday, December 18: Oilers @ Bruins, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 31: Bruins @ Oilers, 9:30 PM
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, December 20: Canucks @ Bruins, 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 21: Senators @ Bruins, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 23: Canadiens @ Bruins, 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 27: Bruins @ Sabres, 7:00 PM
Monday, December 29: Bruins @ Flames, 9:00 PM
How to Watch
7:00 PM EST
TV: NESN
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub