Boston can complete a season sweep and strengthen its hold on the Eastern Conference wild‑card race, putting added pressure on Pittsburgh’s postseason push. 4: 30 p. m. ET — the NHL schedule lists the Bruins visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins without Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, creating that opportunity.
Bruins seize an immediate playoff wedge with a win over Pittsburgh
Victory would push Boston’s record and positioning: the Bruins enter the game at 35-22-5 and currently sit two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second Eastern Conference wild‑card spot. Boston has already beaten Pittsburgh twice this season, winning 1-0 on Jan. 11 and 2-1 on Tuesday, outscoring the Penguins 3-1 across those meetings; a Sunday win would complete a season sweep and extend that head-to-head advantage.
Pittsburgh Penguins face lineup disruption without Crosby and Malkin
Sidney Crosby is out while recovering from a lower-body injury sustained with Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and Evgeni Malkin is serving the second game of a five-game suspension for slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. The absences come as Pittsburgh is third in the Metropolitan Division with a 31-17-14 record and reeling after a 4-3 shootout loss that marked their third straight defeat.
Goaltender starts and broadcast details for bruins vs penguins at PPG Paints Arena
Arturs Silovs is set to start in goal for Pittsburgh after backing up Stuart Skinner on Saturday, while Boston will lean on the goaltending performance that produced 35 saves from Jeremy Swayman in the team’s recent 2-1 win. For viewers searching for bruins vs penguins coverage, the matchup is scheduled to air nationally on TNT and be available on HBO MAX, with puck drop set for 4: 30 p. m. ET at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh; local radio coverage is listed on 98. 5 The Sports Hub and, earlier notes, 105. 9 ‘The X. ‘
Still, Pittsburgh’s shootout struggles add to the pressure: the team is 1-9 in shootouts this season and has converted only four of its last 25 shootout attempts, a short-term scoring drought that has left special‑situation results thin. Boston’s scorers give them an edge in close games — David Pastrnak has 22 goals and 74 points in 57 games this season, while Morgan Geekie leads Boston with 34 goals and has 56 points in 61 games — and those individual numbers matter in late-game scenarios.
Yet, the schedule also factors into fatigue and lineup choices. Both clubs played on Saturday and will be in the second half of a back-to-back; Boston went 1-1 since Tuesday while Pittsburgh is 0-1-1 in that span, increasing the chance of rotation. Between coaching decisions and the Malkin suspension, Pittsburgh head coach Dan Muse could reshuffle defensive pairings — talk has included moving Ryan Shea to skate with Kris Letang — but any change would be announced in the pregame lineup declarations.
That single-game consequence ripples through the standings: a Bruins win not only completes the season sweep but preserves a narrow wild-card cushion, while a Penguins victory would halt a three-game slide and keep Pittsburgh’s Metropolitan positioning intact. Each side brings stakes tied to concrete numbers — wins, records and suspension timelines — rather than vague momentum.
Next confirmed event: puck drop at 4: 30 p. m. ET on Sunday, March 8, at PPG Paints Arena. If Boston wins, they will complete the season sweep and extend their head-to-head advantage by the end of Sunday’s game.
