Bruins rout Rangers 10-2 behind hat tricks from Zacha and Khusnutdinov

Pavel Zacha notched his first career hat trick, including a bizarre goal scored while most of the Rangers were in the locker room, as the Boston Bruins demolished the New York Rangers 10-2 on January 10, 2026. Marat Khusnutdinov outdid him with four goals, marking the first time in Bruins history that two players recorded hat tricks in the same home game. The win avenged an earlier 6-2 loss to New York on November 28 and improved Boston’s record to four victories in their last five games.

David Pastrnak tied a franchise record with six assists, fueling the offensive explosion at TD Garden. Jeremy Swayman was solid in net, turning aside 27 of 29 shots, including a key stop on Vincent Trocheck’s penalty shot. The rout highlighted Boston’s depth and resurgence midway through the season.

Game flow and pivotal moments

The game started with Mika Zibanejad giving the Rangers a quick 1-0 lead at 1:24 of the first period on a setup from Artemi Panarin. But Khusnutdinov responded just over a minute later, tying it at 1-1 with a breakaway wrist shot after a clever pass from Pastrnak. Zacha then put Boston ahead 2-1 at 7:16, capitalizing on a turnover and beating Jonathan Quick with a wrister from the left circle.

The first period’s end provided the night’s weirdest highlight. Zacha’s shot trickled behind Quick, and Braden Schneider tried to sweep it out, but video review confirmed it crossed the line on a 5-on-3 power play with 33 seconds left, making it 3-1. Most Rangers had already headed to the locker room, forcing both teams back on the ice to finish the frame.

In the second period, Fraser Minten extended the lead to 4-1 early. Swayman stoned Trocheck on a penalty shot at 4:54. Khusnutdinov scored again at 6:41 for 5-1, and Zacha completed his hat trick at 11:26, prompting Sullivan to yank Quick after allowing six goals.

J.T. Miller briefly cut it to 6-2 on the power play, but Charlie McAvoy restored the five-goal margin before the period ended.

Historic offensive outburst

Khusnutdinov’s third goal in the third made it 8-2, and Minten’s second pushed it to 9-2. The Russian forward capped his four-goal night at 18:31 for the 10-2 final. This was the first double hat trick for the Bruins since 1964 and the first at home ever.

• Zacha’s goals: 7:16 (1st period, 2-1), end of 1st (3-1), 11:26 2nd (6-1)
• Khusnutdinov’s goals: 2:31 (1st, 1-1), 6:41 (2nd, 5-1), 3:51 (3rd, 8-2), 18:31 (3rd, 10-2)
• Other Bruins scorers: Minten (2G, 1A), McAvoy (1G, 1A)
• Pastrnak: 0G, 6A (team record-tying)

For more on Khusnutdinov’s rapid rise this season, check out our piece on his breakout 2025-26 campaign with the Bruins.

The 10 goals were a season high for Boston, showcasing their balanced attack.

Rangers’ struggles deepen

New York has now lost six of seven, falling to 20-20-6. Quick was pulled after 20 shots and six goals, with Spencer Martin allowing four more. Sullivan sits one win shy of 500 in his career.

Defensive lapses were glaring, especially Schneider’s mishandling of Zacha’s puck. The Rangers couldn’t contain Pastrnak’s playmaking or Boston’s speed.

Sullivan’s squad hosts Seattle on Monday, needing a reset. Their recent skid raises questions about playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division.

Bruins’ momentum and key contributors

Boston’s win caps a strong stretch, blending veterans like Pastrnak and McAvoy with emerging stars. Swayman’s 27 saves included the penalty-shot denial, bolstering his case as one of the league’s top netminders.

Morgan Geekie exited after the first for a family matter, and Elias Lindholm left with a lower-body injury, but the depth held firm. For context on Khusnutdinov’s earlier heroics, see his overtime winner against the Sabres last season.

Pastrnak’s six assists matched the franchise mark previously set by legends like Bobby Orr. Zacha’s milestone came in his breakout role on the wing.

This performance signals Boston’s contention potential in the Atlantic.

Looking ahead for both teams

The Bruins host Pittsburgh on Sunday, aiming to extend their hot streak. With stars firing and depth scoring, they could climb the standings quickly.

New York faces a tough road, but talents like Zibanejad and Panarin offer hope. Sullivan’s near-milestone win looms as motivation.

Detailed box scores and highlights are available on the ESPN game recap and NHL.com analysis.

This blowout underscores the Bruins’ offensive ceiling and serves as a wake-up call for the Rangers. As the season progresses, Boston’s form positions them well for a deep playoff run, while New York must regroup to salvage their campaign.