In an electrifying clash at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins showcased their resilience and scoring prowess to dominate the Utah Mammoth 4-1, with rising star Morgan Geekie stealing the spotlight once again! This game wasn't just about goals and saves; it highlighted the evolving dynamics of a squad that's firing on all cylinders. But here's where it gets interesting—could this be the turning point for Boston's postseason hopes, or are we seeing a temporary spark? Let's dive into the details and unpack what made this matchup a must-watch.
Geekie shines with a brace in Bruins' triumph over Mammoth
Pastrnak contributes two helpers as Boston surges to five wins in their last six
Mammoth vs. Bruins | Full Recap
By Joe McDonald
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
December 17, 2025
BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins cruised to a decisive 4-1 victory over the Utah Mammoth at TD Garden on Tuesday, powered by Morgan Geekie's (https://www.nhl.com/player/morgan-geekie-8479987) two goals, which underscored his growing impact on the team.
Geekie now sits with an impressive 24 goals in just 34 games this season, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon (https://www.nhl.com/player/nathan-mackinnon-8477492) of the Colorado Avalanche, who has notched 28. For those new to hockey, this means Geekie is among the league's top scorers, consistently finding ways to put the puck in the net—a feat that's no small task in the fast-paced NHL.
“It’s absolutely thrilling to see,” Bruins forward David Pastrnak (https://www.nhl.com/player/david-pastrnak-8477956) remarked about Geekie's performance. “Watching him improve day by day is a joy. He's demonstrated his skills all season long, and it's fantastic. Scoring in this league is tough—navigating the ice to find open spaces isn't easy—but he's mastered it. He's a crucial element of our team's success and our current standing.”
UTA@BOS: Geekie nets his second tally of the evening
Pastrnak added two assists to his resume, while Jeremy Swayman (https://www.nhl.com/player/jeremy-swayman-8480280) stood firm with 20 saves. The Bruins (20-14-0) have now secured five wins in their last six outings and are gearing up for a five-game home stretch.
On the opposing side, Barrett Hayton (https://www.nhl.com/player/barrett-hayton-8480849) found the back of the net for Utah, and Vitek Vanecek (https://www.nhl.com/player/vitek-vanecek-8477970) delivered 19 stops. The Mammoth (16-16-3) were riding a two-game winning streak but will wrap up a three-game road trip against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.
“I'm pushing for more responsibility from the team. Whether it's about taking ownership or being accountable,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny explained. “We're playing in their arena. It's simple to discuss it in the locker room, but it's a whole different challenge to gear up, push through, and counter their plays. ... Embrace the sting, handle it like pros, evaluate what we could've improved, make adjustments, and come back stronger the next day.”
Hayton got Utah on the board with a power-play marker, giving them a 1-0 edge at 8:34 of the opening frame. Sean Durzi (https://www.nhl.com/player/sean-durzi-8480434) delivered a crisp feed to Hayton, who deftly redirected it past Swayman as the goalie shifted to protect the left post.
“We generated some solid flow in Pittsburgh (on Sunday) and experimented with interchangeable rotations, ensuring someone was always crashing the net with intent,” Hayton recalled. “I thought we executed brilliantly on that initial power play. We had another chance early in the third, but we faltered. Those are the pivotal moments where we need to deliver for the team, so it's really disappointing to miss out.”
And this is the part most people miss—the power-play dynamics that can swing a game. For beginners, a power play occurs when one team has a player advantage due to a penalty, like tripping or hooking, giving them a numerical edge to score. Boston quickly responded with their own man-advantage goal, knotting the score at 1-1 at 16:01 of the first period. Pastrnak threaded a cross-ice pass to Geekie in the lower left circle, where he fired it into the unguarded net, slipping past Vanecek's desperate glove save attempt.
Geekie downplayed his scoring streak modestly: “I'm proud of my contributions, but I don't dwell on it too much. It's not something I obsess over. You saw it recently in St. Louis when Mark Kastelic (https://www.nhl.com/player/mark-kastelic-8480355) and Fraser Minten (https://www.nhl.com/player/fraser-minten-8483489) each scored twice, and even though our game against Minnesota didn't go well (a 6-2 defeat on Sunday), we're seeing goals from across the roster. Our strength lies in our depth, and we can count on various players. Personally, I focus on hustling at both ends of the ice and capitalizing on special teams opportunities.”
UTA@BOS: Geekie and Pastrnak link up for a power-play goal in the first
Just 23 seconds into the second period, Geekie struck again, propelling the Bruins to a 2-1 lead. After Elias Lindholm (https://www.nhl.com/player/elias-lindholm-8477496) won the face-off (a quick battle for the puck at the center), Geekie darted to the front to screen the goalie. Vanecek initially thwarted Pastrnak's spin-and-shoot from above the left circle, but Geekie scooped up the rebound and nudged it around the goalie's left pad.
“I aimed for the center but was double-teamed,” Pastrnak noted. “I spotted an opening to pivot and release the shot, and it was up to Geekie to crash the net. Some clever deflections, and he demonstrated yet another scoring technique by lurking for rebounds.”
Casey Mittelstadt (https://www.nhl.com/player/casey-mittelstadt-8479999) extended the lead to 3-1 at 10:16 of the third frame. He zipped a pass across the zone during a 3-on-2 rush to Pavel Zacha (https://www.nhl.com/player/pavel-zacha-8478401), whose shot from the left circle missed wide, but the puck bounced off the end boards right to Mittelstadt, who calmly slotted it into the empty net from an acute angle.
“I'm just positioning myself and letting the passes find me,” Mittelstadt said. “I owe it to my line mates for setting up the plays—they do the hard work, and I get the easy tap-in.”
Michael Eyssimont (https://www.nhl.com/player/michael-eyssimont-8479591) capped the scoring with a backhander on a breakaway at 16:02, sealing the 4-1 final.
“We're designed for a gritty style of play, and even if we start slow, our systems and coaching allow us to ramp up quickly with everyone committed,” Geekie reflected. “It's all about our team culture. Tonight, we recovered from a rocky beginning, fought back, and earned those crucial two points.”
But here's where it gets controversial—does Geekie's hot streak signal a true breakout, or is it just a temporary boost that could fade? And what about Utah's coach calling for more 'ownership'? Is this a sign of internal issues, or a rallying cry that could turn their season around? For hockey enthusiasts, these elements add layers beyond the scoreboard. Some might argue the Bruins' depth is their secret weapon, while others contend Utah's young squad has untapped potential if they shake off this loss.
NOTES: Before the puck dropped, the Bruins acquired defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok (https://www.nhl.com/player/vladislav-kolyachonok-8481609) from the Dallas Stars via waivers and shifted defenseman Jonathan Aspirot (https://www.nhl.com/player/jonathan-aspirot-8481219) (upper body) to injured reserve. ... Pastrnak has amassed nine points (two goals and seven assists) across four games following his return from an unspecified injury that sidelined him for five contests.
What do you think? Is Morgan Geekie destined for NHL stardom, or should Utah's coaching staff shake things up more aggressively? Do you agree that team culture trumps individual talent in close games? Drop your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear your take!
