Ben Capocci ‘26, Staff Writer

  The Boston Bruins entered this season hoping for one last big playoff run with their core still intact. There was much speculation this offseason that team captain Patrice Bergeron would hang up his skates for good after the B’s first round exit at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes last season, but much to the surprise of many supporters, Bergeron inked a one year extension this offseason.                                                         

     Another major move made over the summer brought back forward David Krejci. After spending a year in the Czech league, Krejci appeared eager to rejoin Boston and his fellow countryman David Pastarnak. Apart from just player personnel changing, Don Sweeney and Cam Neely, Assistant GM and President respectively, made the shocking decision to fire former head coach Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy had led the team to the playoffs every year he was at the helm, coming within one home game seven of bringing the Cup back to Boston, but upper management felt it was time for a change. Jim Montgomery, the former Dallas Stars head coach, was named as Cassidy’s replacement this summer, bringing in an air of change.

     This change appears to be working. The Bruins have lit the league on fire, earning the best record in the whole NHL, and looking good while doing it. The Bruins came out hot, winning 9 of their first 10 games despite missing two big pieces – forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Having since returned, the pair have fit back in nicely to this, let’s say, “mature” team.

     Age is not something this team is missing. Bergeron, at 37 years of age, is most likely finished with his playing career following this season, and the same can most likely be said for Krejci at 36. But, they are not playing their age with Bergeron remaining the centerpiece of the top line, and Krejci providing great support for another Bruins star, David Pastrnak.

     The team has continued their winning in the last few weeks, earning a record of 18-3. The biggest story isn’t just their overall record, but their home record. After a solid month and a half of in-season play, the B’s are still yet to lose at TD Garden, maintaining a 12-0 record. Just last Friday, the Bruins earned their twelfth home win, breaking the record for the best home start in NHL history. This record breaking game was not an easy win, however, as it seemed that the streak would be snapped just before the record could be broken.

     Facing the Carolina Hurricanes, an Eastern Conference foe, the Bruins faced a 2-0 deficit after just the first period. The game appeared to be going the way that would be expected of the Bruins after recent years. That is, getting close to doing something, yet falling just short at the end, as they did in the 2013 and 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. However, the Bruins fought back, with Krejci netting a one timer with 30 seconds remaining in the second period, with the assist going to Pastrnak. Then, with 9:30 remaining in the game, Krejci again put the puck in the back of the net. Despite originally being waved off due to goalie interference, an official review would overturn the ruling, tying the game at two. The game headed to overtime, where after three minutes, the game remained scoreless. The Bruins were then awarded a power play that set up a Marchand to Pastrnak one-timer in the top right corner of the goal, ending the game. The Bruins were victorious.

     Unfortunately, Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark was injured during the game. Being listed as day-to-day, it is unknown when he will return. Despite this, the Bruins are looking to keep this momentum going as they head into a tough stretch of games against formidable opponents such as the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, who are now coached by Bruce Cassidy.

     The Bruins are looking to make this year count, and they have started off well. Now, if they want to contend for a Cup, they are going to have to keep it going. It’s still very early in the season, and a lot can change, but for now, the Bruins appear to be poised for a run.