Bruins Rally After Olympic Break, Beat Blue Jackets 4-2 in Final-Minute Finish
The bruins snapped their pause for the Milan Cortina Olympics with a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at TD Garden. The win matters as both clubs returned from a three-week Olympic break and navigated a game marked by a late charge, an injury evaluation and special-teams impact.
Game at TD Garden on Feb. 26, 2026
The matchup kicked off at 7 p. m. ET and served as the first outing for both teams since the Olympic break. Boston built a multi-goal cushion before Columbus narrowed the margin late; the Blue Jackets will return home to host the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Viktor Arvidsson’s two goals seal the result
Viktor Arvidsson scored twice for Boston, including an empty-netter in the final minute after Columbus had pulled goalie Elvis Merzlikins with two minutes remaining. Arvidsson’s second goal ensured the final margin and capped a night in which the Bruins finished with four goals total.
Morgan Geekie’s power-play strike and Sean Kuraly’s third-period insurance
Morgan Geekie scored on a power play for his 33rd goal of the season, a tally that came after Joonas Korpisalo briefly left the game in the second period. Sean Kuraly also scored and delivered the two-goal lead in the third period before Columbus mounted a late comeback bid.
Joonas Korpisalo leaves after Miles Wood collision; Michael DiPietro steps in
Columbus goaltender Joonas Korpisalo finished with 36 saves but briefly exited in the second period following a collision with Columbus forward Miles Wood, who was whistled for interference on the play. That sequence produced the power-play chance that resulted in Geekie’s 33rd goal. While Korpisalo was evaluated for a possible concussion, Michael DiPietro made two stops.
Elvis Merzlikins, Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko drive Columbus’ response
Elvis Merzlikins made 19 saves for Columbus. Adam Fantilli sliced the gap to one with a high-slot shot six minutes from the finish, and Kirill Marchenko scored his 20th of the season for the Blue Jackets. Pulling Merzlikins with two minutes left created the empty-net opportunity that Arvidsson converted in the final minute.
Olympic recognition: Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman highlighted
During an early stoppage, the Bruins honored their representatives at the Milan Cortina Olympics, with highlights shown on the TD Garden video board and the loudest ovation reserved for Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman in recognition of Boston’s ties to the champion U. S. team. Swayman did not dress for the game but appeared on the bench and hugged McAvoy.
Charlie McAvoy and Charlie Coyle were noted among the players to watch heading into the game; pregame projections included an ATS pick favoring the Bruins at -1. 5, an Over/Under set at 6. 5 and a 4-2 score prediction.
What makes this notable is how a midgame injury evaluation and a single interference call directly influenced the scoring sequence: Korpisalo’s collision led to a power play, Geekie’s conversion extended Boston’s lead, and Columbus’ late tactical decision to remove the goalie opened the door for the empty-net clincher. The timing matters because both teams are re-entering the regular season calendar from international competition and needed to re-establish game-day routines under immediate NHL pressure.
Boston’s victory balanced offensive finishes with goaltending depth across 36 saves from Korpisalo and the short-term relief provided by DiPietro, while Columbus relied on efforts from Fantilli and Marchenko to force late drama. The Bruins leave with the win and both clubs face a quick turnaround in schedule: Boston with rhythm restored and Columbus preparing to host the New York Islanders on Saturday.
