The Boston Bruins have once again achieved NHL history, gathering 50 points in 30 games for the second time as a Franchise(1929-1930). Only two other teams have reached the mark, the San Jose Sharks in 2008-09 and the Blackhawks in 2012-13. Boston is riding high on hot goaltending and immense depth scoring. Before the season began, many were skeptical of the Bruins success with a new coach, all while having star players out of the lineup. For those who expected a regression, boy, are they surprised now.
The Bruins currently stand 5 points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, who have played two more games than the Bruins. Boston’s .833 points percentage is head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Boston has been impressive on home ice at the TD Garden with a record of 16-0-2.
As mentioned before, goaltending has been the Bruins strength through the first 30 games. Linus Ullmark is currently having a Vezina worthy year. He holds a 1.83 Goals Against Average, a .938 Save Percentage, and he leads the league with 17 wins. There was undoubtedly some shock when the Bruins came out of left field to sign Ullmark before last season. All the questions about the contract and whether he could produce are nonexistent now.
When looking at the Bruins statistics, one number will jump off the screen: Goal Differential. Boston has outscored their opponents by 50 goals across these thirty games. For context, the closest team is New Jersey, with a +32. Yeah, the Bruins are an offensive juggernaut this season. David Pastrnak has 42 points and is the offensive dynamo deserving of a massive contract. However, the Bruins have 12 players with double-digit points already. The additions of Zacha, Greer, and an entire season of Lindholm have not gone unnoticed.
This Bruins team has made the fan base extremely happy so far this year and has shown no signs of slowing down. Now all eyes are focused on the Winter Classic and the upcoming Trade Deadline. Boston is expected to be all in on improving this team to give Bergeron and company the best chance at a Stanley Cup this spring.
