No team was more dominant at the time of the pandemic shutdown than Boston. However, when play resumed, something was missing. Perhaps it was David Pastrnak arriving late and unprepared that set the tone. Boston lost in the second round of the playoffs to eventual champion Tampa Bay. Consider Boston finished eight points above Tampa Bay in the regular season. It was a painful setback after the Bruins’ loss to St. Louis in the 2019 Final. Boston was a top favorite with the NHL odds. Fans and gamblers feel burned at buying in with them.
2021 Boston Bruins
| Odds | |
|---|---|
| Stanley Cup | +1400 |
| East Division | +250 |
Boston Bruins Team Overview
The 2019-20 Bruins finished with a record of 44-14-5. Boston was champion of the Atlantic Division. So too did they win the Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular-season team. The Bruins ranked 9th in the NHL for goal scoring, 2nd for the power play, 1st for goals against, and 3rd for penalty killing.
Boston eliminated Carolina 4-1 in the first round of the Playoffs. But the Bruins were struck by Lightning in the second round. Boston suffered a 4-1 sportsbook series loss. David Pastrnak led the Bruins with 48 goals and 95 points with a +21. Goaltender Tuukka Rask posted a .929 save percentage, 2.12 goals-against average, and 5 shutouts. His record was 26-8-6. Rask opted out of the playoffs. Subsequently, Jaroslav Halak finished 4-5 with a .902 save percentage and 2.76 goals-against average in relief.
Boston Bruins Management and Coaching
General manager Don Sweeney is a former Bruins player. Specifically, he’s been general manager since May 20, 2015.
Coach Bruce Cassidy took over with 27 games remaining in the 2016-17 season. In sum, Cassidy has a Boston record of 44-14-12. He’s led the Bruins to the playoffs every season at the helm. Of course, Cassidy led the Bruins to the 2019 Eastern Conference championship. But Boston lost the Stanley Cup Final to St. Louis in the seventh game on home ice.
Boston Bruins Key Players
Right-wing David Pastrnak quickly emerged as one of the best players in the NHL. Specifically, he was the 25th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. Pastrnak is coming off a career-best 48 goals in 2019-20. Additionally, he tallied 47 assists. In the 2020 playoffs, he wasn’t as effective with just 3 goals in 10 games. Pastrnak is a two-time NHL All-Star. And won the 2020 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as a top goal scorer.
The departure of number one defenseman Torey Krug leaves a void. Veteran mainstay defenseman Zdeno Chara, age 43, began the season as an unrestricted free agent. Accordingly, he’s played for the Bruins since 2006-07. Chara is a six-time All-Star.
Goaltender Tuukka Rask has been with the Bruins since 2007. Overall Rask has a career regular-season record of 291-158-64. Rask has a career 2.26 goals-against average and saves percentage of .922 with 50 shutouts. So too is Rask a two-time All-Star. Jaroslav Halak will backup Rask for the third consecutive season.
Boston Bruins History
Founded in 1924 and part of the NHL’s “Original Six” the Bruins have won six Stanley Cup championships. Boston became prominent in the late 1960s. Namely, Bobby Orr took the sport by storm as a transformational defenseman. The Big Bad Bruins of Orr, Phil Esposito, and a star-studded lineup won two Stanley Cups. That era of glory did much to put the NHL on the map.
Boston Bruins Assessment
In this situation, Boston can win the Stanley Cup. Counter to that is the real possibility of a fade.