The Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild are set to face off on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This matchup features two teams with different trajectories this season: the Wild are firmly in the playoff race, while the Bruins are battling to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference. Here’s a detailed preview:
Team Overview
- Boston Bruins (28-25-8): The Bruins are currently tied for fifth in the Atlantic Division with 64 points. They are coming off a 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders and have struggled on the road this season, with a 10-15-3 record. Boston’s defense has been inconsistent, allowing 3.16 goals per game, which ranks among the lower half of the league.
- Minnesota Wild (34-22-4): The Wild are tied for third in the Central Division with 72 points. Despite losing their last game 5-2 to the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota has been strong at home, boasting a 13-13-1 record. The Wild have relied on their balanced scoring and solid goaltending to stay competitive.
Key Players to Watch
- Boston Bruins:
- David Pastrnak: The star winger leads the Bruins with 32 goals and 43 assists this season. His ability to generate offense will be crucial for Boston.
- Brad Marchand: Marchand has been a consistent performer against the Wild, with 20 points in 20 career games. His leadership and scoring touch will be key.
- Jeremy Swayman: The goaltender is expected to start and has a 17-17-4 record with a 3.03 goals-against average (GAA) and a .895 save percentage.
- Minnesota Wild:
- Marco Rossi: Rossi leads the Wild with 21 goals and 30 assists this season. His playmaking ability will be vital for Minnesota’s offense.
- Mats Zuccarello: Zuccarello has 15 points in 23 career games against Boston and remains a key contributor for the Wild.
- Filip Gustavsson: The goaltender is likely to start and has been solid, with a 20-11-3 record, a 2.66 GAA, and a .913 save percentage.
Injury Report
- Boston Bruins: Michael Bunting (abdomen) is out following an appendectomy, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph (upper body) is questionable.
- Minnesota Wild: Zach Bogosian (lower body) is day-to-day, and Joel Eriksson Ek remains on injured reserve.
Matchup Analysis
- Wild’s Offense vs. Bruins’ Defense: Minnesota averages 2.83 goals per game, while Boston allows 3.16 goals per game. The Wild will look to exploit Boston’s defensive struggles to generate scoring opportunities.
- Bruins’ Power Play: Boston’s power play has been underwhelming, converting at just 15.5%. They will need to improve in this area to capitalize on Minnesota’s penalty kill, which has been inconsistent.
- Key Battle: The duel between Pastrnak and Rossi will be a highlight. Both players are capable of taking over the game, and their performances could influence the outcome.
Boston Bruins 5.5
Minnesota Wild – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, March 1, 2025
