The wider picture
The Boston Bruins’ streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances ended last season, leaving the team and its fans eager to return to postseason play. As of March 12, 2026, the Bruins find themselves in a competitive race for the wild card playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Currently, they occupy the second wild card spot, trailing the Detroit Red Wings by just one point for the first wild card position.
The Bruins have managed to secure a one-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets and a five-point cushion over the Ottawa Senators, who are also vying for a playoff berth. However, the road ahead is challenging for the Bruins, as they face the second-toughest remaining schedule in the league, with eight of their last 18 games against teams currently in playoff contention.
Despite their struggles, the Bruins have shown resilience, scoring 12.1 goals above expected, which ranks third-highest in the league. However, their performance on the road has raised concerns, as they have only 11 road wins—significantly fewer than any other team currently in a playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney acknowledged the importance of improving their away game, stating, “You’d be hard pressed to find a team that wants to have playoff success that’s not able to go out and win on the road.”
In contrast, the San Jose Sharks are also in the wild card race, currently holding 70 points in 65 games. They are competing closely with the Seattle Kraken, who have 71 points in 66 games. The Sharks have not qualified for the playoffs since the 2018-19 season, making their current position all the more critical. They have a favorable remaining schedule, facing only one current playoff team, the Buffalo Sabres, which could enhance their chances of securing a postseason spot.
As the season progresses, the pressure mounts for the Bruins. Sweeney pointed out the need for consistency, noting, “Sometimes it’s our starts. Sometimes it’s our second period like (last Thursday night). There’s really no excuse for it, to be honest with you.” The Bruins must address these issues quickly to maintain their playoff hopes.
Observers are keenly watching the Bruins’ performance in the coming weeks, as their chances of making the playoffs stand at 69.4 percent according to MoneyPuck’s model. With such a slim margin for error, every game will be crucial in determining their fate.
As the playoff race heats up, both the Bruins and Sharks are aware that any opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup is a welcome change. The Sharks, in particular, are eager to break their playoff drought, with one player commenting on their season, “The Sharks have a win and an overtime loss to the Oilers so far, with an additional game on the books for April 8.” This highlights the importance of every match as they strive for a postseason return.
With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will need to capitalize on their remaining games to secure a wild card spot. The next few weeks will be pivotal as they navigate the challenges ahead, with fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating the outcomes.