Patrice Bergeron/Brad Marchand
As a pair, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand are among the league’s most dynamic duos. Bergeron, who centers the top line, wrapped up last season with a career high in goals, while Marchand, his winger and linemate, is coming off an impressive World Cup performance in the preseason, where he bested both Bergeron and league MVP Sidney Crosby in scoring. It wouldn’t be unsurprising for the recently re-signed Marchand to surpass last season’s 37 tallies, giving just another reason for the Little Ball of Hate’s opponents to get their feathers ruffled—or, maybe a reason to finally respect him. No matter what player gets paired on the other side of this line, they’ll be a must-watch all season.
Game Plans: Your Bruins Season Preview
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Brian Babineau | Oct. 28, 2016
Man in the Spotlight
Tuukka Rask
With a sparser defense in front of him, goalie Tuukka Rask will continue to see more action. But in recent seasons, his goals against average has been going up while his save percentage has gone down—bad signs for the team’s franchise keeper. Hopefully the return of backup Anton Khudobin will provide some much-needed rest for Rask, keeping him fresher for the duration of the season. For the Bruins to have any shot at playing meaningful games in May (aka, the second round of the playoffs), Rask must return to his 2014 self, when he won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie.
By Sarah Hagman
Numbers Game
1 POINT
That was the frustrating margin that kept the Bruins out of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season. In 2015, it was just two points that kept them on the outside looking in. Given that the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are projected to land ahead of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division, one can only hope that the players have learned their lesson about fighting for every. single. point.
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty
New Guy on the Block
David Backes
St. Louis has the blues: They said goodbye to David Backes after his decadelong run there, the final five years of which had him captaining the team to the playoffs every season. In Boston, the question is whether he’ll make up for the departure of Loui Eriksson, who was one of the team’s top three scorers last season. However, Backes also brings some flexibility since he can play both center and right wing, and you can’t overlook that he’s been a Selke Trophy finalist—awarded to the league’s best defensive forward—nearly as often as Patrice Bergeron. The 32-year-old’s five-year contract does stretch into his past-prime years, but for what it’s worth, he’s suited up for nearly all 82 games almost every season of his career.
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Brian Fluharty
Player to Watch
David Pastrnak
Now in his third NHL season, David Pastrnak only recently played his 100th game, thanks to multiple injuries that have plagued the former first-round draft pick. With a (fingers crossed) healthy spell and his recent promotion to the first line, expectations are high for the 20-year-old.
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Francois Lacasse
Dream Duo
Patrice Bergeron/Brad Marchand
As a pair, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand are among the league’s most dynamic duos. Bergeron, who centers the top line, wrapped up last season with a career high in goals, while Marchand, his winger and linemate, is coming off an impressive World Cup performance in the preseason, where he bested both Bergeron and league MVP Sidney Crosby in scoring. It wouldn’t be unsurprising for the recently re-signed Marchand to surpass last season’s 37 tallies, giving just another reason for the Little Ball of Hate’s opponents to get their feathers ruffled—or, maybe a reason to finally respect him. No matter what player gets paired on the other side of this line, they’ll be a must-watch all season.
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Brandon Carlo: Mark Blinch
Biggest Challenge
Defense
The lack of upgrades in the offseason left a pretty glaring hole on the defensive end, especially since Kevan Miller likely won’t return from injury until December. That leaves a lot of young guys—Joe Morrow and Colin Miller among them—who need to play at a high level. For a little perspective on how young the defense is, Zdeno Chara made his NHL debut before his current linemate, 19-year-old Brandon Carlo, even celebrated his first birthday.
By Sarah Hagman
Hot Tickets
Dec. 10 and Feb. 4 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
This year’s Jack Eichel is rookie Auston Matthews, who scored four goals in 40 minutes during his professional debut and then gave the Bruins a scare in just his second pro game.
Jan. 26 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
The defending Stanley Cup champs take the ice with Sidney Crosby, who’s proven to be the best player of his generation when healthy.
March 28 vs. Nashville Predators
P.K. Subban may no longer be sporting a Canadiens jersey, but something tells us he’ll feel right at home in a Garden rife with jeers.
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