The Boston Bruins were rumored to be washed up.
They were supposed to be too old. And too injured. And too past their prime. No way could this Bruins’ team run with the younger, faster Atlantic Division teams — let along the high-flying league at large.
That part turned out to be true; the Bruins haven’t been keeping up. They’ve been setting the pace.
Boston cruised to a league-best 12-2-0 record to start this season, while boasting the top goal differential (plus-25), most goals for (57, tied with Vegas in one fewer game players) and most efficient penalty kill (94.1%) during that span. The Bruins took care of business largely without last season’s leading scorer (Brad Marchand, who returned from offseason hip surgery on Oct. 27) or No. 1 defenseman (Charlie McAvoy, just back in the lineup after undergoing a complex shoulder procedure in June).
The season took a controversial turn when the club signed — then cut ties with, amid internal and external criticism — defenseman prospect Mitchell Miller, and the Bruins continue to face questions on their interest in him.
On the ice, how has Boston proved the pundits wrong? By rolling out its own recipe for success. Its key ingredients include a new voice behind the bench, enviable forward depth, unexpected star turns and a heap of good Pasta.
Mad for Monty
It was a real head-scratcher when Boston parted ways with coach Bruce Cassidy on June 7 after six seasons.
The decision came weeks after the Bruins’ first-round playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes — coaching changes are generally more expedient than that — and Cassidy had produced a strong record (245-108-46) and six consecutive postseason appearances.
Boston’s general manager Don Sweeney justified Cassidy’s departure as the team “need[ing] a new direction” and a “new messaging and voice was going to be required.”
Enter Jim Montgomery.
He became the franchise’s 29th coach on June 30, returning to a head role for the first time since being let go by Dallas in…
Source : espn
