Marat Khusnutdinov scored his first goal of the season, leading the Boston Bruins to a thrilling overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins will look to build on that momentum as they prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in an Eastern Conference showdown this Saturday at TD Garden.
The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN and WBZ-FM 98.5. The betting line favors Carolina at -185, with an over/under set at 6.5.
Both teams come into the game with contrasting records. The Hurricanes hold a 7-3-0 season record and are 6-4 against the spread, while the Bruins stand at 6-7-0, showing a solid performance against the spread at 9-4. Notably, Boston has shown a propensity to score, with 43 goals this season, compared to Carolina’s 39. However, the Bruins have struggled defensively, allowing 47 goals to the Hurricanes’ 30.
On special teams, Boston boasts a power play efficiency of 22.2%, well above Carolina’s 9.7%. Meanwhile, both teams have been penalized, with Boston racking up 146 penalty minutes compared to Carolina’s 98. The faceoff battle is expected to be competitive, as the Bruins lead slightly with a 55.0% win rate over Carolina’s 50.0%.
Morgan Geekie of the Hurricanes has been a standout player, tied for the NHL lead with nine goals and currently enjoying a six-game scoring streak.
The Bruins are coming off an impressive 4-3 overtime win against Buffalo, which has energized the team as they aim to complete a three-game homestand sweep against Carolina. Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo’s strong performance—making 37 saves in his last start—leaves fans wondering if he will take the ice again, though Coach Marco Sturm has not confirmed his goaltender for the game.
Khusnutdinov, who was previously scratched multiple times this season, has made the most of his opportunities, particularly when paired with high-profile players such as Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak. Sturm emphasized the importance of staying ready, underlining Khusnutdinov’s dedication during practice. However, the team’s lineup will see changes as Lindholm is expected to miss several weeks due to a lower-body injury.
On the other side, Brandon Bussi, who started his career with the Bruins, has excelled for Carolina, leading to three wins in four starts. He displayed resilience by making 15 of 26 saves in the first period during his latest outing.
Additionally, Carolina placed defenseman K’Andre Miller on IR with a lower-body injury retroactive to October 20, allowing for a future return when a spot opens up on the roster.
This matchup not only promises to be exciting for fans but also presents a critical moment for the Bruins as they seek to regain their footing in the league. With both teams displaying strengths and vulnerabilities, Saturday’s game will be a test of skill and resilience.