Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Bruins Look to Tighten Defense in Key Matchup Against Rangers

As the NHL’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off approaches, the Boston Bruins are aiming to regain defensive stability with Charlie McAvoy back in the lineup. After missing seven games due to an upper-body injury, McAvoy returned on Thursday—but his comeback coincided with a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, exposing Boston’s ongoing struggles on the defensive end.

With the New York Rangers visiting on Saturday afternoon, the Bruins must find a way to stop their alarming trend of allowing goals in bunches, a pattern that has cost them games throughout the season.

Bruins’ Defensive Woes Continue

The Bruins have now given up five or more goals in 14 games this season, a concerning statistic for a team hoping to make a deep playoff run. Their most recent loss saw them surrender four third-period goals to the Jets, erasing any chance of a comeback.

“We’ve just had a way of letting it compound,” McAvoy admitted. “I feel like if we knew exactly what was wrong, we would have stopped it by now.”

One glaring issue is Boston’s inability to hold momentum after scoring. Against Winnipeg, Elias Lindholm tied the game just 11 seconds into the third period, but in the next 1:06, the Bruins allowed two goals, turning a 2-2 tie into a 4-2 deficit.

The defensive struggles have led to back-to-back losses, where they were outscored 13-4, undoing the momentum they had built from a 5-1-1 stretch.

“It’s not always going to go your way. Momentum shifts during the course of the game are going to happen,” interim coach Joe Sacco said. “We just have to find a way as a group to really be mentally strong.”

Captain Brad Marchand, who has points in three straight games, echoed the urgency of the moment:

“None of us are happy with the position we’re in, especially considering where we expected to be to start the year. But you can’t focus on that. You have to focus on being better for the next one.”

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Goaltending Under Pressure

While the Bruins’ defense has been under fire, goaltending performances have also been inconsistent. Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have shared starts, but neither has been able to fully stabilize the team’s backend amid defensive breakdowns.

• Ullmark’s last start: Allowed six goals to Winnipeg, including four in the third period.
• Swayman’s last start: Gave up seven goals in a blowout loss to Columbus.

For Boston to return to form, improving defensive zone coverage and limiting high-danger chances will be essential.

Rangers Looking to Rebound After Back-to-Back Losses

The Rangers have been one of the NHL’s most consistent teams, going 8-3-3 in January, but they come into this matchup on a two-game skid, including a 4-0 shutout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Despite the recent setbacks, head coach Peter Laviolette remains optimistic:

“My eyeball, the numbers, everything to me says we’re playing a better brand that would allow us to be successful.”

New York has shown strong defensive improvements throughout the month, balancing offensive firepower with better structure in their own zone.

Jimmy Vesey’s Future in Question

A side story to watch for the Rangers is the uncertain status of Massachusetts native Jimmy Vesey. The veteran forward has been a healthy scratch for eight straight games, and his frustration is growing.

“I feel like I have no role or purpose on this team,” Vesey told the New York Post.

Laviolette, however, defended his decision to keep Vesey out of the lineup, saying:

“Jimmy’s an important piece to this team. He’s proven that. Right now, we’ve gone with a lineup, and like all the players that aren’t in there, we just ask them to keep working hard.”

With just three goals this season, Vesey is struggling to find his place, while 22-year-old Matt Rempe has taken over his fourth-line role.

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Key Factors to Watch in Bruins vs. Rangers

1. Can the Bruins Tighten Up Defensively?

Boston must stop allowing goals in quick bursts, which has derailed them in multiple games this season. McAvoy’s return should help, but the entire defensive unit must be sharper.

2. Will Goaltending Decide the Game?

Both teams have had hot-and-cold goaltending performances recently. The Bruins need either Ullmark or Swayman to step up, while the Rangers will likely rely on Igor Shesterkin to bounce back from the shutout loss to Carolina.

3. Can the Rangers Maintain Offensive Balance?

New York has improved defensively but needs to find their scoring touch again after being shut out. Players like Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin will be key to getting the offense rolling.

Final Thoughts

With both teams looking to bounce back from losses, this matchup could be a crucial turning point before the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Bruins need to shore up their defense, while the Rangers aim to get back in the win column with a stronger offensive showing.

Whoever executes better in the defensive zone will likely come away with two critical points in the playoff race.