NHL Game Preview: Boston Bruins at New York Rangers with Line Combinations 1/2/2025

Justin Brazeau celebrating a goal with the Boston Bruins
Photo via Yahoo Sports

Boston Bruins (20-15-4, 44 pts) at New York Rangers (16-19-1, 33 pts)
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Date: Thursday, January 2
Time: 7:00 pm EST

TV: ESPN+ / NESN / MSG
Radio:
Boston Bruins – The Sports Hub 98.5 FM
New York Rangers – WEPN-FM 98.7 ESPN New York

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:
Boston Bruins -1.5 ML -115
New York Rangers +1.5 ML +105
O/U 5.5

Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster

Boston Bruins News & Notes:

The Bruins are coming off a tough 3-1 loss to the Capitals in a matinee on New Year’s Eve. Boston is 8-9-2 on the road this season and 5-4-1 in their last ten games. Penalties continue to be a problem as Boston leads the NHL with 170 total penalties committed. This is the first matchup between these two clubs this season. 

New York Rangers News & Notes:

The Rangers have lost four straight games and will try to break that streak as they welcome the Bruins to MSG on Thursday night. New York is 7-9-1 at home this season and has fallen to last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 2-8-0 record in their previous ten games.

Boston Bruins Projected Lines:

Geekie-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-E. Lindholm-Coyle
Koepke-Frederic-Brazeau
Beecher-Kastelic-Wahlstrom

Zadorov-McAvoy
Wotherspoon-Carlo
Lohrei-Peeke

Swayman
Korpisalo

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New York Rangers Projected Lines:

Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Cuylle-Chytil-Berard
Edstrom-Carrick-Vesey

Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider

Quick
Domingue

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Players To Watch:

Boston Bruins

Justin Brazeau has come from nowhere as an undrafted free agent to producing in the NHL. The 6-foot-6 forward has goals in two straight games and three of his last four. The 26-year-old New Liskeard, Ontario native is tied for fourth on the Bruins with nine goals in 37 games and is tied for the team lead in powerplay goals (4) with David Pastrnak.

New York Rangers

Mika Zibanejad has struggled in December with only 4 points in 13 games. The 31-year-old is scoreless in his last eight games and is -8 in December and a team-worst -22 on the season. The 6-foot-2 pivot has struggled in Rangers losses with no goals and 4 assists in 20 games. The Rangers go as Zibanejad goes as he has 17 points (6g, 11a) in their 16 wins.

Injury Report:

Boston Bruins

D Hampus Lindholm – IR

New York Rangers

G Igor Shesterkin – IR

Next game:

Boston Bruins – January 4 at Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Rangers – January 4 at Washington Capitals

Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Don Sweeney signs a two-year extension.- Bruins reportedly not waiting for coaches still in the playoffs? What changed?- Is the coaching search really coming down to Jay Leach and Ryan Mougenel?- Jeremy Swayman encouraging play at the World Championships?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 33. Sweens Extension
  2. Season 4. Episode 32. Dude, Where's My Coach?
  3. Season 4. Episode 31. The Draft Lottery
  4. Season 4. Episode 30. The Bruins Are Watching The Playoffs
  5. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins.

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