Bruins Game 80: Clinching Scenarios, Notes, Lines, and How to Watch vs. Lightning

After a four-game road trip and three days off, the Boston Bruins (43-26-10) are back on TD Garden ice for the start of their final back-to-back of the 2025-26 regular season. The road trip did not go to plan, though; the B’s went 0-2-2 and have not won a game since March 31. They scored one goal in each of their first three games, then five was not enough in the last game.

The Bruins will face the Tampa Bay Lightning (48-25-6) for the second straight Saturday, and they are coming into Boston on a three-game skid. They are on the final game of a four-game road trip… sound familiar? Tampa Bay’s last win came against Boston last week, and they are 3-0-0 against the Bruins this season.

The Bruins have a 98. 7% chance to make the postseason, per MoneyPuck. Their magic number is two, according to Hockey Magic Numbers.

They have an opportunity to book their ticket on Saturday; there’s a simple way, and two more complicated routes. Win : If the Bruins win, they clinch a playoff berth. OT/SO loss : If the Bruins lose and gain a point, they need the Devils to beat the Red Wings and one of the following: Senators beat Islanders in any fashion Jets beat Flyers in any fashion Loss : If the Bruins lose, they need the Devils to beat Detroit in regulation, as well as one of the following: Senators beat Islanders in regulation Jets beat Flyers in regulation And no, James Hagens will not make his Bruins debut today.