The New York Rangers travel to face the Boston Bruins in an Original Six rivalry matchup, with both teams hovering around .500 and battling for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers, coming off a tough loss, look to exploit their recent success against Boston, while the Bruins aim to leverage home ice and defensive discipline to snap a mini-slump. This afternoon tilt could feature low-scoring, physical play given both teams’ goaltending strengths and penalty-kill prowess.
Venue Location
TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Recent Team Forms
The Rangers have been inconsistent, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games with a -2.1 goal differential.
They are on a three-game losing streak, most recently falling 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres on January 8, allowing 3.4 goals per game in that span while scoring 2.8.
On the road, New York is 9-10-3, but they’ve struggled with puck possession lately, posting a 48.2% Corsi For in recent outings.
The Bruins are 3-5-2 in their last 10, with a -1.8 goal differential, but they lead the league in penalty minutes served (13.9 per game).
They snapped a two-game skid with a win in their last outing (details not specified, but W1 streak), averaging 3.0 goals scored and 3.2 allowed.
At home, Boston is 13-8-1, excelling in physical play but vulnerable to speed, with a strong 83.2% penalty kill.
Injury Report
New York Rangers:
Noah Laba (C): Day-to-Day (Upper Body; expected to return imminently, possibly January 10).
Adam Fox (D): Questionable (Lower Body; injured January 5 vs. Utah, status uncertain but skated lightly).
Igor Shesterkin (G): Questionable (Lower Body; same game as Fox, backup Jonathan Quick may start if out).
These potential absences could weaken New York’s blue line and crease, forcing more reliance on depth defenders and Quick.
Boston Bruins:
Jordan Harris (D): Out (Ankle; on long-term IR since early January).
Hampus Lindholm (D): Day-to-Day (Undisclosed; eligible off IR January 11, skated January 9 but unlikely for game).
Boston’s defensive depth is tested, potentially exposing them to Rangers’ skilled forwards.
Player Matchups to Watch
Projected lineups highlight speed vs. physicality, with Boston’s discipline clashing against New York’s skill.
Artemi Panarin (Rangers LW) vs. Pavel Zacha (Bruins C): Panarin leads the Rangers with 16 goals and 32 assists, driving offense with 3.2 shots/game.
Zacha, Boston’s top-line center, counters with playmaking (projected 0.45 points/game) and physicality in neutral-zone battles.
Mika Zibanejad (Rangers C) vs. Brad Marchand (Bruins LW): Zibanejad anchors New York’s top line with 4 goals in last 10, excelling on the power play.
Marchand, a pest with scoring touch (projected 0.52 goals/game), will agitate and test Zibanejad’s two-way game.
Adam Fox (Rangers D) vs. David Pastrnak (Bruins RW): If healthy, Fox (elite passer) must contain Pastrnak’s shot volume (3.8 shots/game, top-10 league-wide).
This blue-line vs. sniper duel could decide transition play.
Goaltending: Igor Shesterkin (if available) vs. Jeremy Swayman – Shesterkin projects 26 saves, Swayman 25, with Bruins edge in save percentage.
Series History
The Bruins lead the all-time series 338-268-97-11 in 714 meetings.
However, the Rangers have dominated recently, going 6-1 SU in the last 7 games, including a 4-2 win on November 15, 2025, and 3-1 on March 22, 2025.
In Boston, New York is 1-4 SU in the last 5 visits, but games trend under, hitting in 6 of the last 8 with an average total of 5.2 goals.
Betting Trends
Rangers are 1-5 SU in last 6 overall but 6-1 SU vs. Boston in last 7.
Bruins are 4-5 as moneyline favorites this season.
The under has hit in 6 of Rangers’ last 10 road games and 7 of Bruins’ last 10 home contests.
Game Odds
New York Rangers 5.5
Boston Bruins – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 9, 2026
