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

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

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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 19. Mark Divver – Bruins Benders Podcast

The Benders chat with New England Hockey Journal’s Mark Divver. Also, is Nikita Zadorov a leader in the making? Are the Bruins slow, stupid, and soft? David Pastrnak needs more credit and much more! DraftKings Sportsbook – Boston’s hometown Sportsbook is LIVE right here in Massachusetts! Bet local on all your favorite sports from the comfort of your own home with DraftKings. To celebrate, ALL new customers will receive up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets when you sign up for DraftKings Sportsbook using code ITR! You can now bet local on money lines, spreads, props, and more with one of America’s top-rated Sportsbooks – DraftKings Sportsbook!  Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and sign up with code ITR to get up to TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS bets to use now that mobile sports betting is live in Massachusetts. That’s code ITR only at DraftKings Sportsbook. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, call 800 327-5050 or visit helplineMA.org to speak with a trained specialist, free and confidentially, twenty four seven. Must be 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Subject to regulatory licensing requirementsEligibility and deposit restrictions apply. Opt in required. Bonus issued as free bets. Terms at draftkings.com/MA.

1. Season 4. Episode 19. Mark Divver 01:16:43
2. Season 4. Episode 18. Two Paths 47:05
3. Season 4. Episode 17. Stanley Cup Parade Back On? 58:45
4. Season 4. Episode 16. Gutsy Loss 46:58
5. Season 4. Episode 15. Public Skate 50:19