The Bruins (46-24-5) have withstood the loss of two key players from their recent past -- forward David Krejci (playing in Czech Republic) and goalie Tuukka Rask (retired) -- and continued to solidify a new era anchored by forward David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, by earning their sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs. They've made the postseason in 13 of 15 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2013 and 2019.
After losing to the Blues in seven games in the 2019 Final, the Bruins have been eliminated in the second round each of the past two seasons.
If the Bruins (97 points) get 100 points, they will have reached the milestone four times in five seasons. They had 73 points in 56 games in 2020-21, which was shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.
Boston is led by forward Brad Marchand, who has 73 points (31 goals, 42 assists) in 64 games, and Pastrnak, who has 71 points (38 goals, 33 assists) in 69 games. McAvoy has an NHL career-high 52 points (eight goals, 44 assists) in 72 games, including 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) on the power play.
The Bruins shook up their top line of Marchand, Pastrnak and center Patrice Bergeron to start 2022, moving Pastrnak to the second line with Taylor Hall and Erik Haula, and it's helped them become a deeper offensive team. They went 8-1-0 to begin the new year and are 19-7-1 since Feb. 19.
The Bruins added a significant piece before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline when they acquired defenseman Hampus Lindholm in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on March 19. Lindholm, who agreed to an eight-year, $52 million contract the next day, formed a shutdown pair with McAvoy but hasn't played since April 8 because of a lower-body injury. They have helped Boston allow the fourth fewest goals per game in the NHL (2.68).
Here's a look at the Bruins' path to a playoff berth:
Most Valuable Player: Though McAvoy's point totals don't approach those of the highest-scoring defensemen in the NHL, he is a huge reason the Bruins qualified for the playoffs. His 21 power-play points are 13 more than his previous NHL career high, set last season. He's plus-21 and averaging 24:44 of ice time per game.
Unsung Hero: Haula wasn't expected to be the center on the second line but has thrived in that role with 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists), his highest total since he had 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18.
Memorable Moment(s): Goalies Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have provided a memorable moment after every win with big, boisterous, joyful postgame hugs that have generated copycats all over Massachusetts.
Key Number: 62.1 percent. Bergeron is leading the NHL in face-off winning percentage. If he finishes first, it would be the fourth time in 10 seasons. His is the second highest percentage in the NHL over that span (minimum 500 face-offs), behind Matt Duchene's 62.6 percent in 2016-17.
Question Mark: Goaltending. Rask retired Feb. 9 after an aborted comeback from offseason hip surgery, and neither Swayman nor Ullmark has started a playoff game. Swayman is 21-12-3 with a 2.34 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and three shutouts in 37 games (35 starts). Ullmark, who is out with an undisclosed injury, is 23-10-2 with a 2.57 GAA and .912 save percentage in 38 games (36 starts). Swayman made two saves in relief of Rask in Game 5 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Second Round, a 5-4 loss to the Islanders.
Reason Bruins Can Win It All: They have the experience and leadership that have helped them to more than 10 years of consistent success. And with Bergeron's looming contract decision -- he is a pending unrestricted free agent and said he will not discuss his future until after the season -- the Bruins have some serious motivation to win for their captain, a likely Hockey Hall of Famer.
