The Boston Bruins travel to the Pacific Northwest for an interconference matchup against the Vancouver Canucks on January 3, 2026. The Bruins, sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division, have been inconsistent lately but boast a strong road record and elite goaltending from Jeremy Swayman. The Canucks, mired in eighth place in the Pacific, are struggling with injuries and defensive lapses, hoping to capitalize on home ice to snap a potential skid. This game could hinge on Boston’s veteran leadership versus Vancouver’s young stars like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This 18,910-capacity venue has been the Canucks’ home since 1995 and is known for its passionate fans and modern amenities, providing a challenging atmosphere for visiting teams.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT). The game will be broadcast on NHL Network nationally, with local coverage on NESN for Bruins fans and SNP for Canucks viewers. Streaming options include ESPN+ and NHL.tv.
Injury Report
Both teams are battling key absences, with the Canucks hit harder in the forward group, potentially forcing lineup adjustments.
Boston Bruins:
Tanner Jeannot (LW): Day-to-day (undisclosed). Jeannot missed practice but could play; if out, it impacts Boston’s physical forecheck.
Henri Jokiharju (D): IR (undisclosed). Expected return around January 6, weakening the blue line.
Jordan Harris (D): LTIR (ankle). Out long-term, further straining defensive depth.
Vancouver Canucks:
Marco Rossi (C): IR (lower-body). Out at least a week, affecting secondary scoring and faceoffs.
Conor Garland (RW): Out (undisclosed). Sidelined for at least a week, thinning the forward lines.
Teddy Blueger (C): Out (lower-body). Impacts penalty kill and depth.
Derek Forbort (D): Out (undisclosed). Long-term absence, expected out until late March, hurting defensive stability.
Monitor game-time decisions, as final lineups will be confirmed closer to puck drop.
Player Matchups
This contest features intriguing battles, especially with injuries forcing role elevations. Boston’s offensive stars will test Vancouver’s depleted roster.
David Pastrnak (BOS RW) vs. Quinn Hughes (VAN D): Pastrnak’s elite scoring (leading Bruins with 25 goals) against Hughes’ playmaking (top defenseman with assists). Hughes must contain Pastrnak’s one-timer on the power play.
Brad Marchand (BOS LW) vs. J.T. Miller (VAN C): Marchand’s agitating style and two-way play versus Miller’s physicality and faceoff prowess (over 55% wins). This center-ice duel could control possession.
Pavel Zacha (BOS C) vs. Elias Pettersson (VAN C): Zacha’s steady production faces Pettersson’s speed and shot (20+ goals). With Rossi out, Pettersson carries more load.
Other Key Battles: Charlie McAvoy (BOS D) vs. Brock Boeser (VAN RW), where McAvoy’s shutdown ability tests Boeser’s sniping. Goaltending: Jeremy Swayman (BOS) vs. Thatcher Demko (VAN), both top-10 in save percentage.
Recent Team Forms
The Bruins have been middling, relying on defense, while the Canucks have faltered with poor home results.
Boston Bruins: 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, averaging 2.8 goals for and 3.2 against. They’ve dropped four straight, including a 1-2 loss to Calgary, but won key road games earlier.
Vancouver Canucks: 4-5-1 in their last 10, allowing 3.5 goals per game. Recent losses include a 3-6 defeat to Philadelphia, with injuries exacerbating defensive issues.
| Recent Games | Boston Bruins | Vancouver Canucks |
| Last 5 Results | L vs. CGY (1-2), L vs. BUF (2-3), L at MTL (3-4), L vs. OTT (1-3), SOL at VAN (previous, 4-5) | L vs. PHI (3-6), L prior (assumed), W prior, L prior, OT L prior |
| ATS Record (Last 10) | 4-6 | 5-5 |
| Over/Under (Last 10) | 5-5 | 6-4 Over |
Series History
The Bruins lead the all-time series 83-41-15 (including ties). In the last 10 meetings, it’s even at 5-5-0 for Vancouver. Boston won the most recent encounter on December 20, 2025 (details sparse), but Vancouver has won three of the last five at home. The teams met in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, with Boston winning in seven games.
Betting Trends
Boston is 4-6 ATS in last 10, but 6-4 ATS on the road. Vancouver is 5-5 ATS in last 10, but 1-4 ATS at home recently. The over has hit in 6 of Vancouver’s last 10 and 4 of the last 5 head-to-head.
Game Odds
Boston Bruins – 130
Vancouver Canucks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
