The Boston Bruins started the year coming off a first round exit to the Carolina Hurricanes. In the off season, the Bruins made some moves that seemed to make them the powerhouse team in the NHL. With the addition of forwards Pavel Zacha and unretired David Kreicji, the goal scoring depth of the Bruins  improved. Former head coach, Bruce Cassidy, was fired and has now signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. While this was a questionable move to everyone, new coach Jim Montgomery has been nothing but perfect. 

     The Bruins (38-5-4) have been breaking records all season being the fastest team to 80 points in a season with 47 games while also setting the record of most home wins to start a season with 16. The Bruins are on pace for 139 points and 66 wins which would break the record of 132 points and 62 wins. It seems like every player on the team is playing their best level of hockey. Players like David Pastranak (37G 32A 69P), Brad Marchand (15G 30A 45P), and Patrice Bergeron (18G 20A 38P) are having a stellar season leading the Bruins in points. Defenseman Hampus Lindholm (6G 25A 31P) and Charlie McAvoy (4G 26A 30P) are holding it down as a top two defensive pair. Goaltenders Linus Ullmark (25-2-1) and Jeremy Swayman (12-3-3) as well are having stellar years as Ullmark is on pace to be a Vezina Trophy winner along with a .913 save percentage. Pastranak, being the top goal scorer on the team, is second in the NHL in goals and third in the league for points. He is on pace for a potential 50 goal season and will be a free agent at the end of the year if management does not re-sign him. The team has made it clear that their main focus is how this season goes rather than contract negotiations. The Bruins sit at the top of the Atlantic Division and first place in the league with the next closest team 12 points behind. Being obvious Stanley Cup favorites at this point the Bruins have been by far the most entertaining team to watch this season. 

The playoffs in recent years have had ups and downs for the Bruins. In 2019, they lost to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final. Since then they have had two losses in the second round of the playoffs and a loss in the first round last year. Having the last Stanley Cup win for the Bruins be in 2011 after beating the Vancouver Canucks in seven games, Bruins fans have been eager for another successful season. It may be one of the last few years the Bruins are a consistent playoff team. Bergeron being thirty seven years of age along with Brad Marchand being thirty four causes the question of how long these two will keep playing. With a squad full of veterans the gap to win the championship is tight and maybe this season will be the one Bruins fans have been waiting for. 

Declan York, Staff Writer

Senior Declan York is a staff writer for the 2022-2023 Colonel Newsmagazine. He is an avid Queen Elizabeth supporter along with his love for hockey.