What Time Do the Boston Bruins Play Tonight? Why Fans Are Checking Twice

If you’re staring at your calendar or refreshing your sports app to see what time do the Boston Bruins play tonight, I’ve got a bit of news that might bum you out: the B's are actually off tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026.

It’s one of those weird gaps in the NHL schedule. After coming off a late-night battle against the Seattle Kraken yesterday, the team is currently in transit. They aren’t hitting the ice again until Saturday night.

Honestly, it’s probably for the best. The guys have been on a tear lately, and a night of rest before heading into the United Center is exactly what the training staff ordered.

The Next Big Matchup: Bruins at Blackhawks

Since there’s no game tonight, you’ll want to set your alarms for tomorrow. The Boston Bruins are scheduled to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Here is the quick breakdown of the timing so you don't miss puck drop:

• Game Time: 8:00 PM EST (7:00 PM local time in Chicago)
• Where: United Center, Chicago
• TV Channel: NESN (locally) or NHL Power Play on ESPN+ (out-of-market)
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub

It’s going to be a fascinating game. We’re talking about a red-hot Bruins team currently riding a five-game win streak. They’ve been suffocating opponents defensively. On the other side, you've got Connor Bedard and a Blackhawks squad that plays much better at home than their record suggests.

Why the Schedule Looks Weird This Week

You might be wondering why there's a Friday night with no Bruins hockey. It feels wrong, right?

🔗 Read more: Men's Basketball College Rankings: What Most People Get Wrong

The NHL schedule makers tend to cluster games around "travel pods." The Bruins just finished a home stretch at TD Garden, including that January 15th game against Seattle. Tonight is their designated travel day to get out to the Midwest.

Managing the "body clock" is a huge deal in the modern NHL. Coach Marco Sturm—who has been working hard to get the team back to its defensive structure—likely views this Friday gap as a "reset" period. According to recent practice reports, the team has been focusing heavily on system reliability after a few "slippery" games earlier in the month.

Key Players to Watch on Saturday

When they do return to the ice tomorrow, keep an eye on these names:

1. Morgan Geekie: He’s been an absolute force lately, leading the team with 25 goals so far this season.
2. David Pastrnak: No surprise here, but his recent 10-game stretch has been elite, racking up 17 points in that span.
3. Jeremy Swayman: Expect him to be sharp. The Bruins have only allowed a handful of goals during this current win streak.

How to Watch the Bruins When They Return

Even though you aren't searching for a stream tonight, you'll need the info for Saturday.

In the New England area, NESN is still the king. If you’ve cut the cord, NESN 360 is your direct-to-consumer option. It’s about $30 a month, which is steep for some, but it’s the only way to get every local broadcast without a cable login.

For the fans living outside of New England, ESPN+ (under the "NHL Power Play" banner) carries almost every game that isn't a national exclusive on TNT or ABC. Since Saturday's game is on NESN, out-of-market fans will definitely find it on the ESPN+ app.

Recent Injury Updates and Roster Moves

A big reason for the Bruins' recent success has been their health, but it hasn't been perfect.

Earlier this month, the team activated Henri Jokiharju from the injured reserve, which was a massive boost for the blue line. However, they had to place Hampus Lindholm on IR to make room. It's a "one step forward, one step back" situation with the defense.

We also saw Jonathan Aspirot rejoin the team for this road trip. He’s been recovering from an upper-body injury since mid-December. While he might not jump into the lineup immediately on Saturday, having him as an option for the Chicago or Dallas games is huge for depth.

Bruins Upcoming Schedule (Late January 2026)

If you're planning your next two weeks, the schedule gets pretty dense after tonight's break. Here is what the rest of the month looks like:

• Jan 20: At Dallas Stars (7:30 PM EST on TNT)
• Jan 22: vs. Vegas Golden Knights (7:00 PM EST on NESN)
• Jan 24: vs. Montreal Canadiens (7:00 PM EST on NESN)
• Jan 26: At New York Rangers (7:00 PM EST on NESN)

The Dallas game on the 20th is a big one—it's a national broadcast on TNT and Max, so you won't need NESN for that one.

Basically, the Bruins are entering a "gauntlet" phase of the season. They’re facing Cup contenders and historic rivals back-to-back. Tonight’s rest isn't just a quirk of the schedule; it’s a necessity before they fly into the storm.

What to do tonight instead?

Since there’s no game, it’s a good night to catch up on the standings. The Bruins are currently sitting near the top of the Atlantic Division (27-19-2), but the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are breathing down their necks. You might want to flip on the Florida vs. Philadelphia game or check out how the Maple Leafs are doing—keeping an eye on the competition is the next best thing to watching the Black and Gold.

Check your local listings for the Saturday night puck drop, and make sure your NESN 360 subscription is active before the 8:00 PM start in Chicago.