The Boston Bruins (13-5-1) host the Minnesota Wild (14-3-4) at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 14, at TD Garden. The game is on NESN and streams on NESN 360.[1][2] Bruins vs Wild is an even matchup on paper: according to NHL standings, both teams have scored 70 goals and allowed 46, although Boston has played two fewer games.[3]
Boston is coming off a 5-2 home loss to Montreal on Thursday. The Canadiens scored the first five goals, ending the Bruins’ four-game winning streak (our recap of the Canadiens-Bruins game).[4] Minnesota beat Boston 4-1 in St. Paul on Oct. 3, the teams’ only meeting so far this season.[5] The full Bruins schedule continues Tuesday with the Los Angeles Kings at TD Garden and Wednesday at Detroit.[2]
Bruins lineup, injuries and how to watch
NHL.com’s projected Boston lineup puts JJ Peterka, Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak on the top line. Casey Mittelstadt, who scored both Boston goals Thursday, is projected on a line with Elias Lindholm and Marat Khusnutdinov. Jeremy Swayman is the projected starter in goal, with Michael DiPietro as the backup.[1][4] Connor Clifton is projected to pair with Frederic Brunet after being a healthy scratch for five games. Mason Lohrei is a healthy scratch, as are Jonathan Aspirot and Sean Kuraly.[1]
James Hagens remains out with a back injury (our earlier report on Hagens going on injured reserve).[1] In Minnesota, the Wild broadcast is on Wild+ and MINNHL.[1]
Wild lineup: Brock Faber returns
Defenseman Brock Faber will make his season debut for Minnesota. He has not played since fracturing his skull in a preseason game against Dallas on Sept. 25 and had surgery two days later, NHL.com reported.[1] Coach John Hynes had not decided whether to pair Faber with Quinn Hughes or Jonas Brodin. Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy are projected as the top line, and Jesper Wallstedt is the projected starter in goal. Filip Gustavsson is out with a lower-body injury.[1]
By the numbers: two of the NHL’s best defenses
Minnesota allows 2.19 goals per game, the fewest in the NHL, and Boston is third at 2.42. The Bruins score more, 3.68 goals per game to Minnesota’s 3.33, sixth in the league. (TBR calculations from NHL standings.)[3] Both teams have a plus-24 goal differential, tied for second in the league behind Carolina’s plus-36.[3]
The Wild have been better over the past few weeks. They are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games and have outscored opponents 38-19, while the Bruins are 6-3-1 with a 36-27 edge in that stretch.[3] Minnesota has collected points in 76.2% of possible standings points, third in the NHL, compared with 71.1% for Boston, sixth.[3] Minnesota is also 9-3-2 on the road. Its trip has included a 2-1 overtime win in Montreal and a 5-2 win at Toronto on Thursday.[3][5] Boston is 8-2-0 at TD Garden and has outscored visitors 41-22 there (TBR calculation).[5]
| Stat | Bruins | Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 13-5-1 | 14-3-4 |
| Points (games) | 27 (19) | 32 (21) |
| Goals for / against | 70 / 46 | 70 / 46 |
| Last 10 | 6-3-1 | 8-0-2 |
| Top scorer | Pastrnak 8-16-24 | Kaprizov 17-18-35 |
| Starter projected | Swayman 9-4-1, 2.42, .913 | Wallstedt 13-2-3, 1.94, .925 |
Kaprizov has 17 goals and 35 points in 21 games, including six power-play goals, and Hughes has 22 assists among his 28 points. Pastrnak leads Boston with 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists), followed by Elias Lindholm with 17. Mittelstadt’s two goals Thursday gave him seven.[6][4] In goal, DiPietro is 4-1-0 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in six appearances.[6]
What to watch (TBR analysis)
- The start. Montreal led 2-0 by 8:36 of the first period Thursday. “Against a team like Montreal, it’s unacceptable to start like that,” Pastrnak said after the game.[4] Minnesota allows the fewest goals in the league, so falling behind early would leave Boston a lot to make up.[3]
- Breakaways. Montreal’s third and fourth goals Thursday came on back-to-back breakaways.[4] Limiting odd-man chances for Kaprizov will matter.
- Goaltending matchup. Wallstedt’s 1.94 goals-against average is lower than either Boston goalie’s.[6] Boston’s 3.68 goals per game will be tested.[3]
- Home ice. Thursday was only Boston’s second home loss in 10 games.[5]
Sources
- NHL.com: Wild at Bruins projected lineups, Nov. 14, 2026
- NESN: How to Watch Bruins vs. Wild: Channel, Live Stream and Start Time
- NHL.com: NHL standings, Nov. 14, 2026
- NHL.com: Canadiens open with five goals, ease past Bruins to push point streak to 12
- NHL.com: Boston Bruins schedule and results, 2026-27
- NHL.com: Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild 2026-27 player stats
About the reporter: Thomas Redfield covers sports for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.
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