The Boston Bruins, as they do every year, are dedicated to making a real push for the Stanley Cup in 2024-25.
However, the NHL playoff structure (ridiculously) requires the Bruins to first compete in the Atlantic Division before representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. That, of course, hasn’t worked out lately, as Boston has repeatedly seen its title hopes dashed early in the playoffs, having failed to reach the conference finals since 2019.
However, after the Bruins spent heavily this summer and added significant depth to their lineup, their opponents see them not only as a threat, but also as the division’s dominant force this season.
As George Richards of Florida Hockey Now writes,
“Boston spent most of last season in first place in the Atlantic before allowing Florida to win the division in the final days to avoid facing Tampa Bay in the first round.” With all of the changes in the division, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bruins took charge early and never looked back.”
The Florida Panthers have been a thorn in the Bruins’ side, sending them packing in each of the last two seasons. However, despite reaching the summit and winning the Stanley Cup, salary cap constraints prompted the Panthers to let go of key pieces of their roster this offseason.
While they kept top contributor Sam Reinhart, Florida was forced to let players like Brandon Montour, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ryan Lomberg leave.
In contrast, the Bruins were among the most active clubs this summer, spending a franchise-record $92 million in free agency. That reality has only added to the anticipation that the Bruins will finish near the top of the division. At the same time, it indicates that no one is overlooking them.
“By now, Boston Bruins opponents should have learned not to underestimate their survival skills,” argues long-time Detroit Red Wings writer Kevin Allen. “They were projected to take a step back in 2023-24 and finished sixth in the NHL in total points. From their Atlantic rivals’ standpoint, the Bruins remain a danger to win the Atlantic Division and compete for the Stanley Cup. Their tradition is to remain competitive, regardless of their circumstances.
The Bruins’ additions helped them cover apparent gaps in their roster and overall makeup. Boston has not only improved in terms of quality, but their increased size will make them much more difficult to play against.
Boston’s division rivals are hopeful that the Bruins’ few remaining flaws are enough to sink them.
“The Bruins have probably done enough by adding Lindholm and Zadorov,” says Jason Moser of Buffalo Hockey Now. “The Sabres hope that the Bruins regret breaking up their goalie tandem and find themselves in a bigger pinch at the position throughout the season as their depth is tested.”
While the Buffalo Sabres have not made the playoffs in almost a decade, they, along with others in comparable positions, such as the Montreal Canadiens, are just as important to the Bruins as the division’s other elite teams.
“Montreal is in the midst of a rebuild, while Boston is attempting to win another championship, putting them on opposite ends of the expectations scale,” writes Monreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont. “You may believe that the Canadiens and the Bruins are not rivals because of their disparity in talent, but as we’ve seen in recent years, that doesn’t prevent either club from playing all out every time they meet. The amount of effort is not determined by their positions, which is what distinguishes it as a true rivalry.
Overall, Boston’s Atlantic rivalries have gotten more intense in recent years. From the annual playoff clash against the Maple Leafs to other historic Original Six battles with the Canadiens and Red Wings, not to mention regular competition with the Panthers and Lightning, the Bruins have plenty of division rivals.
Many of them believe that the Atlantic Division is the Bruins’ to win, but it is also theirs to lose.
