Boston Bruins' goaltender Jeremy Swayman is recovering from an upper-body injury, with Coach Joe Sacco expressing cautious optimism for his return on Saturday. Meanwhile, forward Trent Frederic rejoined the lineup after a two-game absence due to illness. The Buffalo Sabres faced a similar issue as Jason Zucker missed the last game due to illness. Detroit Red Wings' Patrick Kane is also day-to-day with an upper-body injury following a hit, while the Minnesota Wild welcomed back key players Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon. New Jersey Devils' Jacob Markstrom is facing a potential knee sprain, jeopardizing his status for upcoming matches. Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. The Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson is out with a similar issue, while San Jose's Ty Dellandrea left the game early due to an illegal check. Toronto Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies will be out for several days with an upper-body injury, and John Tavares is progressing but has not yet resumed skating.

In a decisive matchup, the Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2, boosted by a standout performance from David Pastrnak, who scored one goal and provided two assists. Parker Wotherspoon made headlines by netting his first NHL goal, contributing to the Bruins' impressive start. Jeremy Swayman was instrumental in goal, making 43 saves as the Bruins snapped a six-game losing streak, their longest in a decade.

The Bruins quickly established dominance, scoring four goals within the first 26 minutes, with Trent Frederic and Brad Marchand also getting on the scoreboard. Tampa Bay managed to respond with goals from Conor Geekie and Victor Hedman but ultimately could not overcome the early deficit.

The game was marked by physical play, featuring five separate fights, including two instances leading to matching penalties. The Bruins' win not only improved their standing in the Atlantic Division but also showcased their resilience after a rough stretch.

In an impressive performance, the Boston Bruins defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2, with David Pastrnak leading the charge by contributing a goal and two assists. Rookie Parker Wotherspoon celebrated his first NHL goal, while Jeremy Swayman showcased his skills by making 43 saves, helping end the Bruins' six-game losing streak. They jumped to a 4-0 lead early in the game, with multiple players, including Trent Frederic and Brad Marchand, contributing to the scoreline.

Tampa Bay attempted a comeback in the second period, with goals from Conor Geekie and Victor Hedman, but the Bruins sealed their victory with empty-net goals from Andrew Peeke and Pavel Zacha. The match was marked by physical play, featuring multiple scuffles and the Bruins managing to withstand the Lightning’s offensive pressure, which saw them outshot 45-24. This win has significant implications for the Atlantic Division standings, as the Bruins tied with Tampa Bay for third place.

The Boston Bruins are assessing their roster following the firing of head coach Jim Montgomery. Key players like Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak are deemed untouchable, while others like Joonas Korpisalo and Jeremy Swayman are also likely to stay for various reasons.

Some players are seen as part of the solution or future, while others may yield minimal returns in trades. The coaching landscape is also shifting, with discussions on who might be next on the hot seat, including Andrew Brunette and Derek Lalonde.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has been fined $5,000 for clipping Florida Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist, while Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves faces a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.

In injury news, Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson is set to return after missing two games, while several players across various teams are dealing with injuries, including Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins and Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes.