Expectations are excessive for the Boston Bruins coming into the 2024-25 NHL season.
Bruins basic supervisor Don Sweeney wasted no time within the offseason upgrading his roster with the signings of top-six middle Elias Lindholm and top-four defenseman Nikita Zadorov on Day 1 of free company. Boston additionally was capable of re-sign elite goalie Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66 million contract regardless of an unusually public negotiation.
Regular season success has not eluded the Bruins of late. In truth, the Bruins' 466 common season wins are the second-most over the past 10 years behind the Tampa Bay Lightning's 475. If you shorten the timeframe to the final 5 years, the B's have essentially the most common season victories with 240, two forward of the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Bruins (2019-20, 2022-23) and Florida Panthers (2021-22, 2023-24) have gained every of the final 4 Atlantic Division titles.
Despite making some good offseason additions, not many individuals are choosing the Bruins to make a deep playoff run. That's not tremendous stunning when you think about the B's will most likely need to beat each the Toronto Maple Leafs and Panthers simply to succeed in the Eastern Conference Final. The Atlantic Division aspect of the bracket can be a brutally powerful path.
However, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff has picked the Bruins to succeed in the Stanley Cup Final however lose to the Edmonton Oilers. We made the alternative prediction — Bruins over Oilers — in our season predictions posted Monday.
The Oilers are by far the preferred choose to win the 2025 Stanley Cup. They got here up simply quick final season with a Game 7 loss to the Panthers after trailing the collection 3-0. Only two groups for the reason that 2004-05 lockout — the 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins and 2023-24 Panthers –have gained the Stanley Cup after shedding within the Cup Final the earlier season.
The best approach to make the playoffs is by securing one of many three spots from every division. So, the place will the Bruins end within the Atlantic Division this season? Here's a roundup of knowledgeable predictions from across the league.
Nick Goss, NBC Sports Boston: 2nd
Greg Wyshynski, ESPN: 4th
Luke Fox, Sportsnet: 1st
Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet: 2nd
Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff: 2nd
Matt Larkin, Daily Faceoff: third
Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic: third
Bryan Murphy, Sporting News: third
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports: third
