A Look Back 30 Years Later: The 1991-92 Boston Bruins Run To The Eastern Conference Finals

The 1991-92 Boston Bruins struggled at times through an up and down season. The team was coming off a difficult Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins the season before and trying to adapt to playing without their best player, Cam Neely. Neely was injured in Game 3 of that series by a questionable hit by known villain Ulf Samuelsson. The Bruins’ power forward would play just nine games in the ‘91-92 season.

In Neely’s absence, the Bruins finished just 36-32-12 and in second place in the Adams Division. The leading scorer was captain Raymond Bourque with 81 points. Much of the offensive slack had to be handled by center Adam Oates, who was acquired in February, and winger Vladimir Ruzicka (39 goals). The Bruins had a tough hill to climb without their future hall of famer.

In the first round, Boston faced Buffalo and took a 3-1 series lead, but lost Game 5 at home 2-0 and traveled back to Buffalo to try to wrap up the series. However, the Bruins were embarrassed 9-3 in Game 6, allowed five power-play goals, and looked dead in the water. But the Bruins would advance to the second round as winger Dave Reid scored a third-period goal to win Game 7 in Boston 3-2.

Round two was a matchup with the hated Montreal Canadiens, who were the Adams Division Champions. The underdog Bruins would dominate the series, sweeping the Habs four games to none behind a brilliant series from goaltender Andy Moog. Moog would allow just eight goals in the series with a .922 save percentage.

And then it was on to a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals with the Penguins. Pittsburgh was not the team from the previous season, finishing in third place in the Patrick Division. However, Mario Lemieux (131 points) and Kevin Stevens (123 points) still presented a difficult task for Boston. The Bruins were seeking revenge for their fallen star and for being eliminated by Scotty Bowman’s club the year before.

The Bruins had their chance to take a 1-0 series lead in Game 1. A Glen Wesley goal late in the second period gave Boston a 3-2 lead. But the Penguins would rally as Shawn McEachern scored to tie it in the third, and Jaromir Jagr scored the winner in overtime. The loss seemed to take the wind out of head coach Rick Bowness’ club as the Bruins would lose Game 2 5-2 in Pittsburgh and then suffer back-to-back 5-1 losses at home to end their season. Pittsburgh would go on to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

The 1991-92 Bruins were two years removed from a Stanley Cup Finals appearance and trying to make another run without Cam Neely. After a valiant effort, the team would succumb to a great hockey club, much the same as they did in 1988 and 1990 against a loaded Edmonton Oilers team. The Bruins would not win a cup with this core group but would provide great memories in the old Boston Garden that Bruins fans still cherish today.

Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Bruins Draft Recap- How did the Bruins do on Day 1 of Free Agency?- Bruins trade for Viktor Arvidsson.- Steve Spott hired as new Assistant Coach.& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 38. B.C. Bruins
  2. Season 4. Episode 37. Gimme a J. Gimme a G.
  3. Season 4. Episode 36. What's Your Vector, Victor?
  4. Season 4. Episode 35. Riding the Sturm Out.
  5. Season 4. Episode 34. Marco? Polo?

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Isaac Howard drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning

Opinion: Isaac Howard Could Crack the Oilers Lineup Sooner Than Expected

Isaac Howard had an incredible season at Michigan State, putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games. He won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey. The problem? Tampa didn’t have the cap space or roster room to bring him in right away, and Howard made it clear he […]

Read More
Isaac Howard skating for Michigan State Spartans

Isaac Howard Traded To Edmonton Oilers

On Tuesday evening, the Edmonton Oilers completed a trade of prospects with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Winger Isaac Howard is headed to the province of Alberta, and centerman Sam O’Reilly is headed to the state of Florida. There was quite a bit of noise about the Oilers being interested in acquiring Howard and being close […]

Read More

ECHL: 2025-26 Qualifying Offers | Florida Everblades

The Florida Everblades continue to shape their roster as they chase another championship-caliber season. On July 7, the team extended qualifying offers to six players from their 2024–25 season-ending roster. Players tendered qualifying offers: This group features returning depth across all positions—players who played meaningful roles in Florida’s recent campaigns. Understanding Qualifying Offers In the […]

Read More