(Photo Credit: Connor Nee / Black N’ Gold Productions LLC)

By: Eamonn McLean | Follow me on Twitter/X @EamonnMcLean44

The Boston Bruins dropped their opening game of the 2025 Prospects Challenge this afternoon to the Pittsburgh Penguins, after a late goal from Avery Hayes. The B’s got their lone goal of the game from invite forward Mavrick Lachance. Despite the loss, there were a few positives to take away from today’s contest.

Zajicek Impresses

Simon Zajicek made his unofficial Bruins debut this afternoon, and he was phenomenal between the pipes for Boston. The Frydlant, Czechia, native made several huge saves on Penguins forwards, including stopping Benjamin Kindel on a breakaway in the first period. It will be interesting to see if the Bruins go back to Zajicek for Sunday’s finale against the Devils, or give invite Ben Hrebik a look in net.

Minten Stands out

Many people, myself included, did not expect Fraser Minten to take part in this event, given his age and status as a prospect. The Vancouver native showed this afternoon that it probably won’t be very long until he’s a regular at the National Hockey League level. Minten was very noticeable throughout the game, making an impact in all three zones. Although he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, he definitely stood out.

Camp Invites Make an Impression

Besides Lachance’s goal, other invited players made some noise during today’s game. Dylan Edwards dropped the gloves with Quinn Beauchesne of the Penguins. Despite Edwards being four inches shorter than Beauchesne, he gave a respectable effort in the scrap.

I was also impressed with the play of Dylan MacKinnon. While it doesn’t appear that he has much offense to his game, I was impressed with the Moncton native’s defensive play, and I thought he showed flashes of why he was drafted in the third round by the Nashville Predators not too long ago. MacKinnon is not currently committed to an NCAA program, and could play in either the American Hockey League or ECHL if he decided to turn pro.

The Bruins prospects will look to end the Prospects Challenge on a high note Sunday afternoon when they take on the New Jersey Devils. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. ET.