EDMONTON –– The Boston Bruins rang in the New Year on a high note. 2026 started with a 6-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday at Rogers Place. It snapped the B’s six-game losing streak, fueled by a three-point showing from David Pastrnak and a 34-save performance from Jeremy Swayman.

Since trading Stuart Skinner, Edmonton has received excellent goaltending, no matter who’s in net. I prefer five-on-five save percentage in evaluating goalies, as it’s a level playing field and is the largest game state. Here’s a look at five-on-five save percentages in the nine games.

As the calendar flips to 2026 on the East Coast, the Boston Bruins find themselves in Edmonton, Alberta, as the Edmonton Oilers host a New Year's Party for the Bruins.

Swayman closed the door on the Oilers and closed the book on 2025 with his best performance of the season. He stopped 34 shots to back the Bruins to a 6-2 win over Connor McDavid and the Oilers Wednesday night at Rogers Place. David Pastrnak scored twice in the win, which snapped Boston’s six-game skid and boosted their record to 21-18-2.

However, when the two elite talents are off the ice, Edmonton scores 1.17 goals per 60 and owns a 29 percent goal percentage. The terrible offence hides a positive fact: The third and fourth lines are surrendering just 2.81 GA per 60. That’s a solid, workable number, meaning offensive upgrades are vital to the current lines.

Connor McDavid leads the Oilers with 24 goals and 45 assists. Leon Draisaitl has been hot lately, contributing three goals and 15 assists over the past 10 games.

This in from Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now, news that the Oilers have boosted embattled winger Andrew Mangiapane from the pressbox, where he sat out the last game, to the second line. Mangiapane will be on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin, a trio that has had some success in the past.

Today, we bid goodbye to a 2025 that brought Oilers fans far more joy than heartbreak. Mark Spector wraps the year that passed, and looks ahead to some pressing issues for the team in 2026.

Speaking of the Flyers, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last Saturday that they're in contract talks with Christian Dvorak. The 29-year-old center joined them last summer on a one-year, $5.4 million deal. Because he's on that one-year contract, the earliest he can sign an extension is Jan. 1.

My Bruins vs. Oilers predictions and NHL picks expect a convincing win from Edmonton with superstar Connor McDavid taking center stage tonight. The Edmonton Oilers are trending in the right direction with an active 9-3-1 stretch that has positioned them atop the Pacific Division, and they’re also up to 10-3-3 on home ice for the campaign.