The Boston Bruins are still alive and kicking this May, and tonight they have a chance to force a decisive Game 7 when they host the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden. After dropping three of the first five games, the Bruins head into Game 6 with their backs against the wall, looking for their first home win of the series. A victory tonight would set up a winner-take-all showdown on Sunday, with the time still to be announced.

Head coach Marco Sturm has kept the same line combinations that closed out Game 5, though the team will again be without a top-six forward. Viktor Arvidsson was the only Bruin absent from practice yesterday, and Sturm confirmed he’s not expected to play in Game 6. "It’s not an injury he can play through," Sturm said earlier this week, leaving Boston’s depth to step up once again.

Off the ice, the Bruins' front office is generating buzz around the league. Assistant general manager Jamie Langenbrunner recently interviewed for the vacant GM position in Vancouver, with reports calling his meeting "very impressive." Meanwhile, fellow AGM Evan Gold has also been linked to the same opening, per Thomas Drance of The Athletic. In Providence, the P-Bruins kick off their Calder Cup Playoffs run tonight, hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Around the NHL, the playoff picture is sharpening. The Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks both punched their tickets to Round 2 with dominant 5-2 home wins in Game 6 last night. The Wild’s victory sets up a second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, with the start date now confirmed. Additionally, the Seattle Kraken are losing an assistant coach, who will explore other opportunities within the league.

It’s a packed Friday for hockey fans. Stay tuned as the Bruins look to extend their season and the playoff drama continues to unfold.