Blue Jackets Host Bruins in Crucial Metro Matchup

Columbus looks to bounce back after Saturday's loss and keep pace in tight Eastern Conference playoff race

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Columbus Blue Jackets will host the Boston Bruins on Sunday evening at Nationwide Arena, in a crucial matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets are coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, while the Bruins are riding high after a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild yesterday. Both teams are in the thick of the wild card race, making this a must-win game for Columbus as they look to regain their momentum.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets currently hold the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Bruins are just three points behind them. A win for Columbus would create some breathing room, while a Bruins victory would pull them even closer. With just nine games left in the regular season, these types of head-to-head matchups between playoff contenders are crucial.

The details

The Blue Jackets struggled with their energy and execution in the loss to San Jose, according to head coach Rick Bowness. They'll need to simplify their game and play a smarter, more disciplined style against a talented Bruins team. Boston has been led by the scoring exploits of David Pastrnak, who has 92 points on the season, and the emergence of 27-year-old Morgan Geekie, who has 34 goals. The Bruins have also received strong goaltending from Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo.

  • The Blue Jackets and Bruins met earlier this season, with Boston winning 4-2 on February 26.
  • Columbus went 2-1-0 against Boston in the season series last year, but has struggled in the matchup since 2021-22, posting a 3-7-3 record.

The players

Rick Bowness

Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

David Pastrnak

Star forward for the Boston Bruins, currently ninth in the NHL with 92 points.

Morgan Geekie

27-year-old forward for the Boston Bruins who has emerged as one of the league's top goal scorers with 34 tallies.

Jeremy Swayman

Goaltender for the Boston Bruins, currently 29-15-4 with a 2.72 GAA and .908 save percentage.

Joonas Korpisalo

Goaltender for the Boston Bruins, previously played for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We didn't have our legs, it's as simple as that. We just didn't have our legs. What the guys have to learn is when you don't have your legs, you try to simplify the game a little bit. And even though we didn't have our legs, we're still trying to make plays that just weren't there.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets

“Everybody understands it probably wasn't good enough tonight, and that's why we came up on the short end. There's a lot of character in this group, so we're gonna refocus and come back tomorrow.”

— Erik Gudbranson, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will look to bounce back and regain their footing in the playoff race, while the Bruins will aim to continue their recent strong play and pull even closer to Columbus in the standings.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Blue Jackets and Bruins is a crucial one in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. Both teams have been playing well of late, making this a must-win game for Columbus as they try to maintain their hold on a wild card spot. The Blue Jackets will need to simplify their game and play with more energy and discipline to come away with the two points.