The Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks are set to face off at SAP Center in San Jose, California, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 7:30 PM PT. This matchup features two teams struggling to find consistency this season, with the Bruins looking to stay in the playoff hunt and the Sharks aiming to end their challenging campaign on a positive note.
Team Overview
Boston Bruins (30-31-9)
- Current Form: The Bruins are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, marking their third loss in their last four games. Boston has had a tough March, going 3-6-1 and falling further out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They currently sit seventh in the Atlantic Division, five points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Wild Card spot.
- Road Record: Boston has a 14-17-4 record on the road this season, reflecting their struggles away from TD Garden.
- Key Players:
- David Pastrňák: Leads the team with 36 goals and 31 assists (67 points). Pastrňák remains Boston’s most consistent offensive weapon.
- Brad Marchand: Adds depth with 22 goals and 28 assists, though his production has slowed in recent weeks.
- Charlie Coyle: Provides secondary scoring with 15 goals and 20 assists.
- Goaltending:
- Jeremy Swayman is expected to start. Swayman has a 2.89 GAA and a .905 save percentage this season. He’ll need to bounce back after allowing four goals in his last outing.
San Jose Sharks (18-42-9)
- Current Form: The Sharks are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, extending their losing streak to four games. San Jose has already been eliminated from playoff contention and sits last in the NHL standings.
- Home Record: San Jose has struggled at home, with a 9-20-4 record at SAP Center.
- Key Players:
- William Eklund: Leads the team with 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists). Eklund scored the Sharks’ lone goal against Carolina and continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.
- Tomas Hertl: Adds experience and scoring depth with 16 goals and 28 assists.
- Fabian Zetterlund: Has contributed 12 goals and 20 assists, providing some offensive support.
- Goaltending:
- Kaapo Kahkonen is expected to start. Kahkonen has a 3.45 GAA and a .892 save percentage this season. He’ll need to be sharp against Boston’s top scorers.
Head-to-Head Matchup
- Season Series: This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. The Bruins won the first matchup 6-3 on January 20 in Boston, with David Pastrňák scoring twice.
- Historical Record: The Bruins have dominated the all-time series, with a 31-12-5 record against the Sharks. Boston is also 14-7-2 on the road in San Jose.
- Key Stats:
- Boston averages 3.18 goals per game while allowing 3.12 goals per game.
- San Jose averages 2.79 goals per game but concedes 3.88 goals per game, the highest in the NHL.
- The Bruins’ power play ranks 15th in the league (21.3%), while the Sharks’ penalty kill ranks 28th (73.2%).
Projected Starting Lineups
Boston Bruins:
- Forwards:
- Marchand – Zacha – Pastrňák
- Hall – Coyle – DeBrusk
- Frederic – Geekie – Lauko
- Greer – Beecher – Hathaway
- Defense:
- Lindholm – Carlo
- Forbort – Grzelcyk
- Shattenkirk – Zboril
- Goaltender: Jeremy Swayman (expected starter)
San Jose Sharks:
- Forwards:
- Eklund – Hertl – Zetterlund
- Barabanov – Sturm – Duclair
- Peterson – Bordeleau – Labanc
- Gadjovich – Lorentz – Svechnikov
- Defense:
- Ferraro – Benning
- Knyzhov – Rutta
- Thrun – Simek
- Goaltender: Kaapo Kahkonen (expected starter)
Injury Report
Boston Bruins:
- Charlie McAvoy (shoulder): Out.
- Hampus Lindholm (kneecap): Out.
San Jose Sharks:
- Logan Couture (groin): Out.
- Marc-Edouard Vlasic (upper body): Day-to-day.
Storylines to Watch
- Playoff Push for Boston: The Bruins are desperate for points to stay in the playoff race. Can they take advantage of a struggling Sharks team?
- William Eklund’s Breakout Season: Eklund has been a bright spot for San Jose. How will he fare against Boston’s defense?
- Special Teams Battle: Boston’s power play could exploit San Jose’s weak penalty kill, which has been a major issue all season.
- Goaltending Duel: Both Swayman and Kahkonen will need strong performances to give their teams a chance.
