The Boston Bruins face a challenging week ahead, marked by the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, significant injuries to key players, and the continued brilliance of David Pastrnak.
Stadium Series Showdown
The Bruins are set to clash with the Tampa Bay Lightning at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1st. This highly anticipated outdoor game is a part of the NHL Stadium Series and marks the first time the Lightning have hosted an outdoor game. For the Bruins, this will be their sixth outdoor game, holding a 4-1 record in previous appearances. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN, SN, and TVAS.
Injury Woes
Adding to the challenge, the Bruins will be without two of their top centers, Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha, for the Stadium Series game. Both players are sidelined with upper-body injuries and did not travel with the team to Florida. Lindholm sustained his injury during Tuesday's game against the Nashville Predators, while Zacha was injured in Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. While there is no specific timeline for their return, Coach Marco Sturm indicated that the injuries are not expected to impact their participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
In response to these injuries, Matt Poitras has been recalled from the AHL. He played in Thursday's game against the Flyers, recording five shots in 11 minutes of ice time. With Lindholm and Zacha out, Fraser Minten is expected to take on the role of the top-line center.
Pastrnak's continued excellence
Amidst the injury challenges, David Pastrnak continues to be a standout performer for the Bruins. His playmaking abilities have been particularly noteworthy, with 47 assists in 50 games this season. In January alone, he recorded 25 points in 14 games, comprising five goals and 20 assists.
Coach Sturm has praised Pastrnak's unique hockey sense and skills, recognizing his ability to change the game at any moment. Young forward Fraser Minten has lauded Pastrnak as an "elite, elite" player, placing him in the highest tier of hockey talent.
Pastrnak's brilliance was on full display when he scored the overtime winner against the Nashville Predators, redirecting a pass into the net just 15 seconds into the extra frame. His recent assist numbers are the best by a Bruins player since Adam Oates in 1993, making him only the sixth player in team history to achieve such a feat.
Looking Ahead
Following the Stadium Series game, the Bruins will face the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. After that, the team will have a break before their next game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 26th. The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from February 11-22.