Bruins Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Blue Jackets

Boston and Columbus battle for Eastern Conference wild card spots in key late-season matchup.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Boston Bruins (41-24-8) travel to Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets (38-24-11) in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. Both teams are jockeying for wild card playoff positioning, with the Bruins currently holding a three-point lead. The Bruins are coming off a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, while the Blue Jackets are fresh off a home loss to the San Jose Sharks.

Why it matters

This late-season matchup between the Bruins and Blue Jackets has major implications for the Eastern Conference playoff race. With both teams battling for wild card spots, the outcome of this game could play a pivotal role in determining their postseason fates.

The details

The Bruins have been hot of late, going 9-4-3 since the Olympic break and earning points in their last six road games. However, their power play has struggled, connecting at just a 13.5% rate over the last 16 games. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have been even hotter under new head coach Rick Bowness, going 19-5-4 since his hiring on January 12 and boasting the league's second-best record in that span. They have also been stingy defensively, allowing the fewest goals per game (2.46) in the NHL.

  • The Bruins and Blue Jackets will face off on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
  • The teams will meet again on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Marco Sturm

The Bruins' head coach who will meet with the media before the game to announce the starting goaltender and any lineup changes.

Rick Bowness

The Blue Jackets' head coach who has led the team to a 19-5-4 record since taking over on January 12, 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Swayman 'could be a candidate' to play in back-to-back nights.”

— Marco Sturm, Bruins Head Coach

What’s next

The Bruins and Blue Jackets will meet again on Sunday, April 12, 2026 in their final regular season matchup.

The takeaway

This late-season clash between the Bruins and Blue Jackets is a crucial game in the Eastern Conference playoff race, as both teams look to secure a wild card spot. The Bruins' struggling power play and the Blue Jackets' stifling defense under new coach Rick Bowness will be key factors in determining the outcome.