Our New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins preview covers the odds, puck line, total, puck drop time, TV channel and where to watch for NHL Opening Night on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The New York Rangers (34-39-9 in 2025-26) visit the Boston Bruins (45-27-10) at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Puck drop is 8:00 PM ET (8:00 PM local). TV: ESPN (U.S.).

Opening Night storyline: This is the Rangers and Bruins’ 10th mutual season opener, tying Detroit and the Rangers for the second most between U.S. franchises (NHL.com). Boston will be without defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who is serving a six-game suspension from last season’s playoffs. DraftKings lists Boston at -115 and New York at -105, with the total at 5.5.

New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins Odds, Puck Line & Game Info

Odds via DraftKings (through ESPN), cross-checked on Action Network, as of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ~5:30 PM PT. Lines move, so check your sportsbook before puck drop. Starting goalies were not confirmed at research time.

New York Rangers Preview: Last Season, Offseason & Goalies

2025-26 recap: The Rangers went 34-39-9 (77 points) and finished last in the Metropolitan Division. They lost their first seven home games (0-6-1), a franchise record, and won only six of their first 25 at Madison Square Garden. Artemi Panarin was traded to the Kings on Feb. 4.

Offseason moves: New York acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas and signed him to a seven-year, $77 million contract after he scored 37 goals, plus 12 more in the playoffs. Vincent Trocheck went to Utah in the deal that sent defenseman Sean Durzi to New York. The Rangers also added Marcus Pettersson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Joe Veleno and backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo, and drafted defenseman Alberts Smits fifth overall. Will Borgen was traded to Boston, Jonathan Quick retired, and Conor Sheary, Jonny Brodzinski and Adam Edstrom moved on.

Key players & coach: Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafreniere, Gabe Perreault (19 points in his last 23 games) and Adam Fox headline the group. Mike Sullivan is in his second season as coach.

Goalies: Igor Shesterkin remains the No. 1. Korpisalo (14-9-6, 3.15 GAA with Boston last season) is competing with Dylan Garand for the backup job.

Injuries: Forward Adam Sykora (lower body) and Aidan Thompson (undisclosed) are out. Defenseman Vincent Iorio (lower body) is day-to-day (ESPN).

Boston Bruins Preview: Last Season, Offseason & Goalies

2025-26 recap: Boston beat expectations, going 45-27-10 (100 points), finishing fourth in the Atlantic and ranking 10th in the NHL at 3.27 goals per game. Buffalo eliminated the Bruins in six games in the first round.

Offseason moves: The Bruins acquired winger JJ Peterka (25 goals) from Utah for two first-round picks, traded for defenseman Will Borgen and brought back Connor Clifton. Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals) signed with Detroit, backup Joonas Korpisalo was traded to the Rangers and Andrew Peeke signed with Utah. Fraser Minten signed a seven-year extension, and 2025 No. 7 pick James Hagens is expected to make the team.

Key players & coach: David Pastrnak had 100 points last season, Pavel Zacha set career highs with 30 goals and 65 points, and Morgan Geekie and Casey Mittelstadt add scoring depth. Marco Sturm begins his second season as head coach.

Goalies: Jeremy Swayman was a Vezina Trophy finalist after going 31-18-4 with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage. Michael DiPietro, the AHL’s goalie of the year the past two seasons, moves up as the backup.

Injuries & suspensions: Charlie McAvoy is suspended for the first six regular-season games for slashing Buffalo’s Zach Benson in the playoffs and is expected back on Oct. 13 (NHL.com, Boston Globe). Matthew Poitras (lower body) is on injured reserve (ESPN).

How to Watch New York Rangers vs Boston Bruins

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Puck drop: 8:00 PM ET (8:00 PM local)
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
TV: ESPN and the ESPN app in the U.S. (Sean McDonough, Ray Ferraro and Emily Kaplan on the call). NHL.com lists no Canadian national broadcast for this game at research time.

Check the puck line, moneyline and total above against your sportsbook before the September 29, 2026 puck drop, and look for confirmed starting goalies closer to game time.