Bruins can ‘feel the importance’ of crucial game vs. Canadiens

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Bruins can ‘feel the importance’ of crucial game vs. Canadiens

Lauren Campbell · MassLive

Tue, Dec 23, 2025 ·

2 min read

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The Atlantic Division standings are tight. Two points separate the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens — who play one another on Tuesday night.

After a humiliating loss to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday , Boston’s losing streak reached three. It’s not often an NHL game in late-December is deemed as a must-win one, but the Bruins know the importance and the weight it holds.

“We can feel the importance. You can call it the most important game we’ve had this year. It’s a big game for us and we need to bounce back ahead of the Christmas break,” David Pastrnak told reporters Monday . “It’s the Montreal Canadiens . It’s very easy to get motivated, especially the way the last couple of games went. It’s a must-win.”

The 2025-26 season has been a streaky one for Boston . The team has shown flashes of strong defensive play, willingness to shoot the puck, making smart decisions and winning battles. Other times, the Bruins are pass-happy and break down in front of their own net .

While Tuesday’s game won’t determine Boston’s fate given how much season is left, it’s still a pivotal one for the Bruins against their longtime rival — especially with a five-game road trip after the NHL’s holiday break that begins in Buffalo and ends in Seattle .

“It is important. Not sure if it’s the most important,” coach Marco Sturm said . “For us, it’s a one-game series. That’s how I look at it. There’s different reasons for where we’re at as a team and as an organization.”

Sturm is hopeful Sunday’s loss was a bit of a wake-up call and his players use it as motivation.

“Did I have a (expletive) night (Sunday) night? Damn right, I did,” Sturm said . “But I’m already excited about the day (Tuesday) because I know my guys, I know my players, I know my group. These guys care. There’s never been a doubt. I know they’re going to give a response, not just for us but for this organization and also for our fans.”

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