The Boston Bruins have emerged as the team to beat in the NHL, with an astonishing 39-7-5 record. From David Krejci returning to the Bruins this offseason and Jake DeBrusk scoring two third-period goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic, it has been a successful half-season under first-year head coach Jim Montgomery. One of the Bruins’ most crazy stats throughout this stretch of dominance has been their one regulation defeat on home ice, as the Bruins have a home record of 22-1-3.
The Bruins have persevered through its share of injuries; Charlie McAvoy underwent shoulder surgery that sidelined him for six months dating back to June, and Brad Marchand did not return to the lineup until October as he suffered hip arthroscopy and labral repair on both hips. Most recently, Jake DeBrusk suffered a lower-body injury in the Winter Classic and will be inactive until February 11th.
The Bruins on-ice begins with the lights-out goalie tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. Ullmark has had a bounce-back season in his second season with Boston, making the All-Star game with a 26-4-1 record, a .937 save percentage, 1.90 goals against average, and two shutouts. Last season, Ullmark won 26 games, but has tied that amount this season at the All-Star break! Swayman has improved every season since making his debut in 2021, holding a 12-3-4 record with a .914 save percentage and one shutout on the season.
The “Perfection Line” between Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pasternak has continued to be one of the league's top first lines. “Pasta” leads the team in points with 72 (38 G), (34 A), and Marchand, despite an injury-riddled start of the season, has forty-six points in forty-three games (16 G) (30 A). One of the most memorable moments this season was when “Captain Bergeron” plotted his 1000th career point against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 21st, as he assisted on a Marchand goal during the 5-3 win.
During the offseason, one of the biggest rewards has been trading center Erik Haula to New Jersey Devils in exchange for center Pavel Zacha. Zacha has averaged fifteen minutes of ice time per game and has scored thirty-five points in fifty-one games. On January 14th, Zacha was rewarded for his efforts with a four-year $19 million contract and will stay in Boston for the next four seasons, while Haula has only scored four goals in forty-nine games.
Another player who has improved this season is defenceman Matt Grzelcyk, who has sixteen assists and nineteen points and is primed to shatter his career-high in both points (24), and plus/minus rating (22). Lastly, veteran Nick Foligno is having a resurgence after only scoring two goals last season; this season, he has scored seven goals and has twenty points with a twelve plus/minus rating.
Should any major moves be made with the Bruins off until next Saturday and the trade deadline just under a month away? The Bruins have been linked to trade for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, and Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews since the start of the season, but given how successful they have been, it won't be a surprise if they decide not to make a significant move until the offseason. If a trade were to occur at the deadline, Craig Smith’s contract for a younger or less expensive bottom-six winger or bottom-six defenseman could be a possibility.
The Bruins are at the head of the table in the Atlantic Division with a thirteen-point lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs, but regular-season success is no longer a question. The questions now are how well can the Bruins play once the playoffs begin, and can they break the Presidents Trophy Curse? Only time will tell.
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