The Boston Bruins host the Utah Mammoth in a cross-conference clash at the historic TD Garden, pitting Original Six tradition against the league’s newest franchise in its second season. Boston (19-14-0, 38 points) sits solidly in the Atlantic Division wildcard hunt, riding elite goaltending and David Pastrnak’s scoring prowess despite injury setbacks. Utah (16-15-3, 35 points) fights for a Pacific playoff spot, leaning on Clayton Keller’s playmaking and a balanced attack but hampered by key absences up front. This inter-conference tilt features contrasting styles: Boston’s structured defense and power play vs. Utah’s speed and transition game. With both teams trending up, expect a tight, physical affair in front of a raucous Boston crowd.
Venue
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA (17,565-capacity arena known for its steep seating, championship banners, and electric atmosphere—site of 17 Stanley Cup clinchers)
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: NESN (Boston local); Utah broadcast on The Spot/Utah 16; streaming on ESPN+; national radio on SiriusXM NHL Network
TD Garden’s holiday decorations and pre-game light show set the stage for this non-divisional matchup, with Utah making its second visit to Boston since relocation.
Team Records
Boston holds a slight edge in standings points, boasting the league’s No. 8 penalty kill (84.2%), while Utah ranks top-10 in goals per game (3.15) but struggles on the road (7-8-2).
| Team | Overall Record | Division Record | Home/Road | Last 10 | GF/GA (Per Game) | PP% / PK% |
| Boston Bruins | 19-14-0 (38 pts) | 7-6-0 (Atlantic) | 11-5-0 / 8-9-0 | 6-4-0 | 2.85 / 2.70 | 22.1% / 84.2% |
| Utah Mammoth | 16-15-3 (35 pts) | 6-7-2 (Pacific) | 9-7-1 / 7-8-2 | 5-4-1 | 3.15 / 3.20 | 19.8% / 79.5% |
Boston ranks No. 12 in goals allowed; Utah No. 15 in shots per game (30.8).
Recent Team Forms
The Bruins have surged with a 6-4-0 mark in their last 10, capped by a 4-2 win over Winnipeg despite injuries—Jeremy Swayman stole the show with 32 saves, and the forecheck generated 15 high-danger chances. Their form screams resilience: 4-1-0 in December, averaging 3.4 goals while allowing 2.2. Weakness? Power play dipped to 18% recently.Utah sits at .500 over their last 10 (5-4-1), rebounding from a three-game skid with back-to-back wins, including a 5-3 victory over Vancouver. Clayton Keller (4 points in last 3) drives the offense, but road defense leaks (3.8 GA in last 5 away). Strength: Transition goals (12 in last 8 games).
Head-to-head models project Boston 58% win probability (MoneyPuck), with a median total of 5.8 goals.
Injury Report
Both teams battle absences, with Utah hit hardest in forward depth. Updates as of December 15 evening practice (per team reports and NHL.com).
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason/Estimated Return | Impact Notes |
| Bruins | Viktor Arvidsson | RW | Out | Lower body (Dec. 11 vs. Jets) | Day-to-day; 12 goals lost |
| Bruins | Jonathan Aspirot | D | Out | Upper body (Dec. 11) | Depth blueliner; IR possible |
| Bruins | Charlie McAvoy | D | Available | Returned Dec. 8; full participant | Top-pair minutes back |
| Mammoth | Logan Cooley | C | Out | Lower body (Dec. 5 vs. VAN) | Min. 8 weeks (Feb. return); team leader in goals |
| Mammoth | Dylan Holloway | LW | Out | Ankle sprain | 6 weeks (late Jan.); 10 goals impacted |
| Mammoth | Nick Schmaltz | C/RW | Available | Cleared; full practice | No lingering issues |
Boston’s core (Pastrnak, Marchand) is healthy; Utah leans heavier on Keller and Guenther.
Key Player Matchups
This game hinges on star power and special teams: Boston’s top line vs. Utah’s depleted forwards, and goaltending duels.
David Pastrnak (Bruins, 22 G, 48 PTS) vs. Utah Defense (No. 22 PK) — Pasta’s one-timer (8 PPG) exploits Utah’s 79.5% kill; he’s 6 points in last 4. Utah’s Sean Durzi (pairing) must contain edges. Edge: Bruins.
Clayton Keller (Mammoth, 15 G, 38 PTS) vs. Boston Top Pair (McAvoy-Lindholm) — Keller’s speed (5 points last 3) tests Boston’s transition D; McAvoy’s 24:30 TOI shuts down entries. Edge: Even.
Jeremy Swayman (Bruins G, .912 SV%, 2.45 GAA) vs. Karel Vejmelka (Mammoth G, .905 SV%) — Swayman’s home dominance (.920 SV%) vs. Vejmelka’s road struggles (3.40 GAA away). Edge: Bruins.
Brad Marchand (Bruins captain, 14 G) vs. Mikhail Sergachev (Mammoth D) — Marchand’s pest factor draws penalties; Sergachev’s physicality (120 hits) counters. Edge: Bruins.
Nick Cousins (Mammoth agitator) vs. Bruins Bottom-6 — Cousins’ grit could spark Utah if physicality escalates.
Power play: Boston 22.1% vs. Utah’s middling PK; Utah’s speed favors even-strength.
Series History
This marks the fourth all-time meeting (Utah leads 2-1-0 since 2024-25 relocation). Recent:
Oct. 19, 2025: Utah 3-2 (OT) @ Utah
Nov. 21, 2024: Boston 1-0 @ Boston (Swayman shutout)
Earlier 2024: Utah win
Trends: Unders hit in all three (avg. 4.3 goals); Boston 1-1 at home vs. Utah. No overtime in Boston meetings.
Betting Trends
Trends: Bruins 6-4 ATS last 10 as favorites; Utah 5-5 ATS on road. Unders 7-3 in Boston’s last 10; 6-4 in Utah’s inter-conference.
Historical: Home teams 6-4 ATS in December inter-conference.
Game Odds
Utah Mammoth 6.5
Boston Bruins – 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
