### Boston Bruins Honor Zdeno Chara with a 4-2 Victory Over Seattle Kraken The Boston Bruins celebrated a significant milestone by retiring Zdeno Chara's No. 33 jersey during a home game against the Seattle Kraken on January 16, 2026. This event marked a momentous occasion for the franchise and its fans, as Chara is a beloved former captain who led the team to a Stanley Cup championship in 2011. The Bruins capitalized on the emotional atmosphere, securing a 4-2 victory, which also allowed them to complete a five-game homestand sweep for the first time since 2019. The game featured early goals from Marat Khusnutdinov and Viktor Arvidsson, and a short-handed goal from Mark Kastelic, while Jeremy Swayman made 26 saves to help maintain the lead. The Kraken, struggling with their form, have now lost four of their last five games, despite goals from Chandler Stephenson and Eeli Tolvanen [https://apnews.com/article/bruins-kraken-score-b16414553a7804cc79c1957db011e49d, https://komonews.com/sports/sports-content/seattle-kraken-boston-bruins-zdeno-chara-number-33-stanley-cup-championship-chandler-stephenson-utah-chicago-joey-daccord-national-hockey-league]. ### Game Breakdown and Key Highlights 1. **Ceremony and Emotional Impact**: - The night began with a ceremony honoring Zdeno Chara, which set a celebratory tone for the Bruins and their fans [https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2026/01/15/after-retiring-charas-no-33-bruins-get-off-to-quick-start-and-beat-kraken-4-2]. 2. **Game Performance**: - The Bruins scored two quick goals within the first four minutes, establishing an early lead that they maintained throughout the game [https://fox13seattle.com/sports/seattle-kraken-allow-two-quick-goals-fall-4-2-bruins]. - Mark Kastelic's short-handed goal in the second period further solidified their advantage [https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/bruins-kraken-score-v42705]. 3. **Final Moments**: - David Pastrnak sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final seconds, ensuring the Bruins' win [https://985thesportshub.com/2026/01/16/bruins-kraken-recap-reaction-zdeno-chara-retirement]. - The Kraken's late-game strategy was hampered by an early timeout, leaving them without a crucial opportunity to regroup in the final minute [https://komonews.com/sports/sports-content/seattle-kraken-boston-bruins-zdeno-chara-number-33-stanley-cup-championship-chandler-stephenson-utah-chicago-joey-daccord-national-hockey-league]. ### Statistical Overview - **Final Score**: Bruins 4, Kraken 2 - **Goals**: - Bruins: Khusnutdinov, Arvidsson, Kastelic (short-handed), Pastrnak (empty-net) - Kraken: Stephenson, Tolvanen - **Saves**: Jeremy Swayman (Bruins) - 26 saves - **Streak**: Bruins achieved their fifth consecutive victory, marking a significant turnaround in their season [https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/bruins-sweep-five-game-home-034624473.html]. ### Conclusion: A Night to Remember for the Bruins In summary, the Boston Bruins not only honored a franchise legend in Zdeno Chara but also showcased their competitive spirit with a decisive 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The combination of an emotional ceremony and strong on-ice performance allowed the Bruins to sweep their homestand, reflecting their potential as they move forward in the season. The Kraken, on the other hand, will need to regroup as they continue to struggle with consistency [https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/boston-bruins-beat-seattle-kraken-4-2].