The Vegas Golden Knights (24-12-12) head to Boston to face the Bruins (28-20-2) in a cross-conference matchup between two playoff contenders. Vegas sits atop the Pacific Division with strong goaltending and offensive depth, while Boston holds fifth in the Atlantic, riding a hot streak at home but coming off a tough road loss. This game pits Vegas’s recent seven-game win streak (snapped by a narrow defeat) against Boston’s home dominance, where they’ve won five straight. Expect a physical, high-scoring affair given recent head-to-head trends.
Venue Location
TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (broadcast on ESPN+, NESN, and SCRIPPS)
Recent Team Forms
Both teams have been among the league’s hottest in January, with Vegas on a seven-game point streak before a loss and Boston winning eight of their last 10. Vegas has outscored opponents by 14 goals in their last 10, while Boston has allowed just 2.3 goals per game in that span.
Vegas Golden Knights Last 10 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against |
| Jan 19 | vs. PHI | L 1-2 | 1 | 2 |
| Jan 17 | vs. NSH | W 7-2 | 7 | 2 |
| Jan 15 | vs. TOR | W 6-5 OT | 6 | 5 |
| Jan 14 | vs. LAK | W 3-2 OT | 3 | 2 |
| Jan 11 | vs. SJS | W 7-2 | 7 | 2 |
| Jan 10 | vs. STL | W 4-2 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan 8 | vs. CBJ | W 5-3 | 5 | 3 |
| Jan 6 | @ WPG | W 4-3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jan 4 | @ CHI | L 2-3 | 2 | 3 |
| Jan 2 | @ STL | L 3-4 | 3 | 4 |
Record: 7-3-0 (streak snapped by PHI loss)
Avg. Goals: 4.2 for, 2.8 against
Power Play: 26.5% (10th in NHL); Penalty Kill: 81.4% (12th)
Boston Bruins Last 10 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against |
| Jan 20 | @ DAL | L 2-6 | 2 | 6 |
| Jan 17 | @ CHI | W 5-2 | 5 | 2 |
| Jan 15 | vs. SEA | W 4-2 | 4 | 2 |
| Jan 13 | @ DET | W 3-0 | 3 | 0 |
| Jan 11 | @ PIT | W 1-0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jan 10 | vs. NYR | W 10-2 | 10 | 2 |
| Jan 8 | @ CGY | W 4-1 | 4 | 1 |
| Jan 6 | vs. SEA | L 4-7 | 4 | 7 |
| Jan 3 | @ VAN | W 3-2 | 3 | 2 |
| Dec 31 | @ EDM | W 6-2 | 6 | 2 |
Record: 8-2-0 (five-game home win streak)
Avg. Goals: 4.2 for, 2.4 against
Power Play: 25.5% (5th in NHL); Penalty Kill: 78.1% (20th)
Injury Report
Injuries could play a big role, especially for Vegas, which is dealing with a depleted roster heading into the Olympic break. Boston has fewer absences but some key depth pieces out.
Vegas Golden Knights:
William Karlsson (C): Out (lower body) – Expected back post-Olympics (Feb 25)
Brett Howden (C): Out (lower body) – IR, out until at least Feb 25
Colton Sissons (C): Out (upper body) – Out until at least Feb 25
Brandon Saad (LW): Out (undisclosed) – Out until at least Feb 25
Brayden McNabb (D): Out (upper body) – Out until at least Feb 25
Carter Hart (G): Out (lower body) – Out until at least Feb 25
Rasmus Andersson (D): Day-to-day (personal) – Questionable for Jan 22
Boston Bruins:
Jordan Harris (D): Out (ankle) – IR, expected back Jan 24
Henri Jokiharju (D): Out (personal) – Non-roster, no return timeline
Hampus Lindholm (D): Day-to-day (undisclosed) – Recently returned but monitor status
Morgan Geekie (C): Day-to-day (undisclosed) – Missed recent game but expected back soon
Andrew Peeke (D): Day-to-day (lower body) – Game-time decision after recent return
Projected Starting Goalies:
Vegas: Akira Schmid (15-4-5, 2.45 GAA, .897 SV%)
Boston: Jeremy Swayman (19-12-2, 2.88 GAA, .903 SV%)
Key Player Matchups
This game features star power on both sides, with offensive dynamos and defensive stalwarts clashing. Vegas’s top line will test Boston’s shutdown defense, while Boston’s snipers could exploit Vegas’s injury-hit blue line.
Jack Eichel (VGK) vs. David Pastrnak (BOS): Eichel (17G, 40A) leads Vegas in points and assists, thriving on the rush. Pastrnak (20G, 40A) is Boston’s top scorer, known for his lethal shot. Expect this matchup to dictate the game’s pace—Eichel’s playmaking vs. Pastrnak’s finishing.
Mark Stone (VGK) vs. Elias Lindholm (BOS): Stone (12G, 39A) is a two-way force for Vegas, leading in takeaways. Lindholm (center) anchors Boston’s top line with strong faceoff wins (FO% ~55%) and defensive play. This could be a battle in the neutral zone.
Shea Theodore (VGK) vs. Charlie McAvoy (BOS): Theodore (D) leads Vegas blueliners with points and power-play time. McAvoy is Boston’s top defenseman, averaging 22+ minutes and excelling in hits/blocks. With Vegas’s D corps thinned, McAvoy could dominate transitions.
Pavel Dorofeyev (VGK) vs. Marat Khusnutdinov (BOS): Emerging scorers—Dorofeyev (20G) provides secondary offense for Vegas, while Khusnutdinov (recent hat trick) has been hot for Boston. Watch for them in odd-man rushes.
Mitch Marner (VGK) vs. Pavel Zacha (BOS): Marner (12G, 39A) is Vegas’s setup man; Zacha (recent hat trick) adds size and scoring for Boston. This could highlight special teams play.
Series History
All-time: Boston leads 8-5-2 (15 games). Recent: Vegas has won the last three meetings, including a 6-5 thriller on Oct 16, 2025 (high-scoring affair). Vegas is 4-1 SU in the last five vs. Boston. At TD Garden: Boston 4-3-1 vs. Vegas, but Vegas won the last visit 4-3 on Feb 8, 2025. Trends: The over has hit in 5 of the last 7 head-to-heads; average combined goals: 5.9.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Bruins have covered in 6 of last 8 home games. Total: Over has hit in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games; Under in 5 of Vegas’s last 7 road games. Team Trends: Vegas 4-1 SU last 5 vs. Boston; 7-3 SU last 10 overall. Boston 6-1 SU last 7 games; 5-0 SU last 5 at home. Vegas 4-1 SU last 5 in January; Boston over in 4 of last 5 vs. Pacific teams.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 135
Boston Bruins 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026
