How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday

TL;DR

The Boston Bruins can secure a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday night under new head coach Marco Sturm. This follows their previous season where they missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha

How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Bruins' run of eight straight Stanley Cup playoffs berths ended during the 2024-25 season after a disappointing 33-39-10 campaign.

Under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, the Bruins have a chance to officially clinch a return to the postseason as early as Thursday night.

Boston (43-26-10, 96 points) doesn't play again until Saturday but is currently at the top of the Wild Card standings.

The Bruins would lock up a playoff berth on Thursday if the Columbus Blue Jackets (39-27-12, 90 points) lose in regulation against the Buffalo Sabres (48-23-8, 104 points) and the New York Islanders (42-31-5, 89 points) fall in regulation or overtime/shootout vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs (32-32-14, 78 points).

The 2025-26 NHL regular season ends on April 16 and the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin on April 18.

More NHL: Boston Bruins Sign James Hagens To NHL Contract

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Q&A

What do the Boston Bruins need to do to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday?

The Bruins need to win their game on Thursday night to officially clinch a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

When did the Boston Bruins last miss the Stanley Cup playoffs before this season?

The Boston Bruins last missed the Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2024-25 season, ending an eight-year streak of postseason appearances.

How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday

TL;DR

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha

How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Bruins' run of eight straight Stanley Cup playoffs berths ended during the 2024-25 season after a disappointing 33-39-10 campaign.

Under first-year head coach Marco Sturm, the Bruins have a chance to officially clinch a return to the postseason as early as Thursday night.

Boston (43-26-10, 96 points) doesn't play again until Saturday but is currently at the top of the Wild Card standings.

The 2025-26 NHL regular season ends on April 16 and the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin on April 18.

More NHL: Boston Bruins Sign James Hagens To NHL Contract

Share this article

Q&A

What do the Boston Bruins need to do to clinch a playoff spot on Thursday?

The Bruins need to win their game on Thursday night to officially clinch a return to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

When did the Boston Bruins last miss the Stanley Cup playoffs before this season?

The Boston Bruins last missed the Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2024-25 season, ending an eight-year streak of postseason appearances.

How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday

TL;DR

Q&A

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How Bruins Can Clinch Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Thursday

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