Daily Bean: Bruins Win, NCAA Tournament Begins Today, Draft Board

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The Boston Bruins picked up a massive win in Buffalo, NY, last night. 

It bumped their playoff odds to 74.4%, according to MoneyPuck’s model

Visit mchezo.co.za for more information.

James Hagens made his professional debut last night in Providence’s 2-1 win in Springfield. He had three shots, but did not land on the scoresheet. The P-Bruins play again on Saturday and Sunday. 

Besides the Bruins’ win, there was only one other game last night. And that game went in the Bruins’ favor as well. 

Elsewhere around the hockey world, the Lightning and Panthers are both down a top player. The NCAA tournament begins today, and it is followed up by a 13-game NHL slate. A Flyers’ prospect speaks about his time in college, and there is an updated draft board.

Also, the Maple Leafs won last night. Their draft pick gets further away from the top five with the win, but the Rangers – finally – have been eliminated from playoff contention. 

Happy Opening Day, Go Sox! (Also, NESN is rolling out a new scorebug and graphics package for the Red Sox… Bruins next?)

Catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

BRUINS WIN: The Boston Bruins (40-24-8) picked up their 40th win of the season last night, beating the Buffalo Sabres (44-20-8) in overtime, 4-3. Four different goal scorers factored into the win, and Joonas Korpisalo made 22 saves and picked up his first win since February 26.

BREAK APART: David Pastrnak had a three-point night and hit 90 on the season. The second line connected for two goals, and Pavel Zacha scored the overtime-winner. 

NHLonTNT (video via 𝕏): David Pastrnak spoke with the TNT panel after the game. He answered some serious questions, but also spent some time taking some shots at Paul Bissonnette. 

Prospects Update

HAGENS OPPORTUNITY: James Hagens made his professional debut last night. He did not make it to the scoresheet, but finished the game with three shots. He also played on the first power play unit and took a late hit pretty early on. 

PROSPECTS NOTEBOOK: Six Bruins’ prospects are involved in the NCAA tournament, which begins today.

NCAA Tournament Schedule:

  • Michigan State vs. UConn – 1:30 PM (ESPN2)
  • Dartmouth vs. Wisconsin – 5:00 PM (ESPNU)
  • Providence (1) vs. Quinnipiac (2) – 5:00 PM (ESPN+)
  • North Dakota (1) vs. Merrimack – 8:30 PM (ESPN2)

NHL News & National Hockey Now

B/R Open Ice (video via 𝕏): Last night, the Sabres welcomed back Rasmus Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina, to the KeyBank Center. It was her first game since her heart transplant. 

Forever Blueshirts: The Rangers and Maple Leafs were the other game from last night, and the Rangers have been eliminated from playoff contention. Good news for Bruins fans: the Leafs won, which keeps their pick outside of the top five. 

PuckPedia: The Maple Leafs’ pick sits with the ninth-best lottery odds on PuckPedia; the Panthers’ pick is 10th. Check out the 2026 Draft Lottery Simulator. 

ESPN: Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman will be away from the team. He is taking a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons. Wishing all the best to Hedman. 

Hedman missed time with an injury this season, but he returned for the Stadium Series. 

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers will be without Anton Lundell for some time. According to Paul Maurice, the latest injury report “wasn’t very good.” He will not need surgery, but he has a rib injury and will be out anywhere from 2-6 weeks.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers selected Porter Martone one pick before the Bruins picked up James Hagens. Now, Martone is going to the NCAA tournament. Will James spoke to Martone, and he talked about the relationships he has with current Flyers, playing for a national championship, and Shane Vansaghi, another Flyers prospect at Michigan State. 

Martone and the Spartans kick off the NCAA tournament this afternoon. 

TSN: Gavin McKenna is still on top of Craig Button’s draft board. Check out where he has everyone else. 

Today’s NHL Schedule

Blue Jackets at Canadiens – 7:00 PM

Stars at Islanders – 7:00 PM

Penguins at Senators – 7:00 PM

Kraken at Lightning – 7:00 PM (CA: SN)

Wild at Panthers – 7:00 PM (US: ESPN)

Blackhawks at Flyers – 7:00 PM

Sharks at Blues – 8:00 PM

Devils at Predators – 8:00 PM

Avalanche at Jets – 8:00 PM

Capitals at Mammoth – 9:00 PM

Ducks at Flames – 9:00 PM

Oilers at Golden Knights – 9:30 PM (US: ESPN, CA: SN1)

Kings at Canucks – 10:00 PM

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