
Pittsburgh
(-1.5)

Boston
(+1.5)
Star Player
Joonas Korpisalo (BOS) 1w 27sv 27sog
Boxscore
Summary
BOSTON (Interstat) ā Joonas Korpisalo stopped all 27 shots for his second straight win and Viktor Arvidsson scored in the first period as the Boston Bruins blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 on Sunday at TD Garden. Arvidsson netted his ninth goal on a backhand at 11:01 of the opening period, assisted by Henri Jokiharju and Casey Mittelstadt. The Bruins, who improved to 25-21, made the lone goal stand as Korpisalo, coming off a 28-save performance Thursday, secured the shutout before 17,850 fans. The Penguins, held scoreless for the third time this season, went 0 for 4 on the power play and failed to capitalize on a late third-period advantage. Pittsburgh fell to 21-23. Sidney Crosby registered three shots in the loss.
Extended Summary
BOSTON (Interstat) ā In a game defined by a single moment of opportunistic offense and 59 minutes of stubborn defense, the Boston Bruins edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 on Sunday night at TD Garden. A first-period goal from Viktor Arvidsson and a 27-save shutout from goaltender Joonas Korpisalo proved sufficient for the Bruins, who improved to 25-21. The Penguins, shut out for the fourth time this season, fell to 21-23 before a crowd of 17,850. The contestās lone breakthrough came just 1:11 into the opening period. After a faceoff win in the offensive zone, Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju fired a slap shot that was stopped by Pittsburghās Stuart Skinner. The rebound caromed to the side of the net, where Casey Mittelstadt quickly shoveled the puck in front. Arvidsson, stationed at the top of the crease, deftly converted a backhand shot for his ninth goal of the season. From that point forward, the narrative shifted entirely to Bostonās defensive structure and Korpisaloās composure. The Penguins, despite controlling stretches of play and outshooting Boston 27-24, could not solve the Finnish netminder. Korpisalo, coming off a 28-save performance in a 4-1 win over Calgary on Thursday, was sharp throughout, particularly during a frantic second period where Pittsburgh generated several high-danger chances. His best sequence may have come early in the middle frame. Just 40 seconds in, Sidney Crosby unleashed a wrist shot from the slot that Korpisalo turned aside. The rebound went directly to Rickard Rakell, whose backhand follow-up was swallowed by the goalieās pad. Later in the period, Pittsburghās Justin Brazeau rang a tip-in attempt off the left post, the Penguinsā closest brush with tying the game. Bostonās defense, led by a physical effort from Tanner Jeannot and steady play from Charlie McAvoy, blocked 22 shots and consistently disrupted Pittsburghās offensive rhythm. The Penguinsā power play, afforded three opportunities, went 0-for-3 and managed only four total shots with the man advantage. Pittsburghās Skinner was scarcely less busy, making 23 saves to keep his team within reach. He was tested repeatedly by Bostonās David Pastrnak, who registered a game-high four shots, and Jeannot, who led all players with six shots on goal. Skinnerās efforts ensured the Penguins had a chance until the final buzzer, but the offensive support never materialized. The gameās tight, low-event nature defied pregame projections. National Statisticalās game simulator had predicted a 3-2 Boston victory, while its ELO system gave the Bruins a 54.9% probability to win. The combined single goal dramatically went under the over/under line of 6.5, and Pittsburgh failed to cover the pregame spread of -1.5. The loss halted a modest positive trend for the Penguins, who had won four of their previous six games, including a 5-4 overtime victory in Columbus on Jan. 4. They will look to rebound quickly when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. The Bruins, who have now won three of their last four, continue a homestand Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The victory provides a measure of momentum as they navigate a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. In a league where offensive fireworks are increasingly common, Sundayās game was a stark reminder of hockeyās foundational truth: a timely goal and a perfect goaltending performance remain a formidable, and often decisive, combination.
Preview
BOSTON (Interstat) ā The Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, two franchises with recent championship pedigrees seeking consistency this season, will meet Sunday at TD Garden in a key Eastern Conference matchup. The Bruins (24-21-0) enter riding the high of a dominant 10-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday, a performance that showcased their explosive potential. Center Marat Khusnutdinov was the catalyst, erupting for four goals and an assist. He has been a bright spot, recording six points (4 goals, 2 assists) in his last five games. Pittsburgh (21-22-0), meanwhile, looks to rebound from a frustrating 2-1 home loss to Calgary on Saturday. The Penguins had won four of their previous five before that defeat. Their success has been closely tied to the play of goaltender Arturs Silovs, who is expected to start. Silovs has been sturdy, posting a .923 save percentage over his last seven appearances, giving Pittsburgh a chance nightly. The teams are separated by just five points in the standings, adding weight to the contest. Bostonās offense, which leads the league in goals per game over the past month, will test Silovs and a Penguins defense that has been uneven. Pittsburgh will counter with a veteran core led by Evgeni Malkin, who had an assist in the loss to Calgary, and will need to generate more than the 25 shots they managed Saturday. Historically, games between these clubs are tightly contested. According to National Statisticalās game simulator, that trend should continue with a projected final score of Boston 3, Pittsburgh 2. The Bruinsā schedule intensifies after this game, with a four-game road trip looming. Pittsburgh begins a three-game homestand next week before embarking on a challenging four-game Western Canada swing. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday at TD Garden.