The Boston Bruins had been rumored to be washed up.

They had been purported to be too outdated. And too injured. And too previous their prime. No manner may this Bruins’ crew run with the youthful, quicker Atlantic Division groups — let alongside the high-flying league at massive.

That half turned out to be true; the Bruins have not been maintaining. They have been setting the tempo.

Boston cruised to a league-best 12-2-0 report to begin this season, whereas boasting the highest aim differential (plus-25), most objectives for (57, tied with Vegas in a single fewer recreation gamers) and most effective penalty kill (94.1%) throughout that span. The Bruins took care of enterprise largely with out final season’s main scorer (Brad Marchand, who returned from offseason hip surgical procedure on Oct. 27) or No. 1 defenseman (Charlie McAvoy, simply again within the lineup after present process a fancy shoulder process in June).

The season took a controversial flip when the membership signed — then reduce ties with, amid inner and exterior criticism — defenseman prospect Mitchell Miller, and the Bruins proceed to face questions on their curiosity in him.

On the ice, how has Boston proved the pundits improper? By rolling out its personal recipe for fulfillment. Its key elements embody a brand new voice behind the bench, enviable ahead depth, surprising star turns and a heap of excellent Pasta.

Mad for Monty

It was an actual head-scratcher when Boston parted methods with coach Bruce Cassidy on June 7 after six seasons.

The choice got here weeks after the Bruins’ first-round playoff loss to the Carolina Hurricanes — teaching adjustments are typically extra expedient than that — and Cassidy had produced a powerful report (245-108-46) and 6 consecutive postseason appearances.

Boston’s common supervisor Don Sweeney justified Cassidy’s departure because the crew “want[ing] a brand new route” and a “new messaging and voice was going to be required.”

Enter Jim Montgomery.

He turned the franchise’s twenty ninth coach on June 30, returning to a head position for the primary time since being let go by Dallas in 2019 for “a private behavioral difficulty.” Shortly after his firing, Montgomery checked into rehab for alcohol abuse. In September 2020, St. Louis introduced Montgomery on as an assistant, a publish he held till Sweeney’s supply.

The wedding is, by all accounts, off to a wonderful begin.

“He is simply are available with [really] good vitality,” veteran ahead Nick Foligno stated. “That is the most important factor about Monty; he loves the sport simply as a lot because the gamers do. So, it is infectious in our room. He is actually good concerning the one-on-one conversations and understanding what it’s good to deliver, and he is actually open about that. He additionally enjoys the method of the sport. It is lined up properly with the way in which this group is. He is executed a fantastic job.”

What Montgomery does not do is micromanage. As a substitute of recreating the Bruins in his personal picture, Montgomery received to know what makes gamers tick, what methods work with their ability units and went about maximizing the potential off his bench.

“He simply lets us play,” ahead A.J. Greer stated. “He is not being too arduous on us, however he is additionally correcting us, typically with out even having to say something. It is enjoyable to play for him. The best way he makes use of the methods and the way in which he is utilizing this crew is strictly how we wish to play, and also you see it with the success we’re having. It is actually well-thought out, as a result of everybody’s dialed into that very same mindset and everybody’s collectively pulling the boat right here.”

Cultivating an all-for-one solidarity was a essential mission by Montgomery, to maintain Boston from permitting early damage absences outline the season. Adversity can typically divide a dressing room; Montgomery’s strategies saved the Bruins tight.

“I feel he actually introduced this group collectively,” David Pastrnak stated. “He is a really constructive individual. He is very good. He has nice factors about hockey and the model that he needs us to play. He is simply been actually good.”

That unity extends on the ice too. Montgomery’s strategy is delicate, however he is guiding the Bruins towards being a whole crew. The remainder has come naturally from there.

“He actually understands what [we] are going to have success with,” Foligno stated. “That is being heavy down low. He talks about carrying out the aim line, and that is conducive to loads of guys on this room. That messaging alone performs into loads of guys’ palms. Guys are extra comfy. The reads you can also make down low; you do not get burned on as many instances if it does not work out. There’s nonetheless a 200-foot recreation that [another] crew has to get by. I feel that is actually performed into loads of our palms.”

It is no marvel that the honeymoon section feels removed from over. Boston hopes it will final all season.

“We love taking part in for this man,” Greer stated. “He is actually introduced only a constructive mindset and a constructive aura across the group. He all the time talked concerning the means of taking it one recreation at a time. He respects us as individuals, he respects us as gamers, and he understands each certainly one of us. To construct off that vitality for the coach and the respect that everybody has for everybody right here, he is executed an exceptional job and it is enjoyable.”

Pasta-powered

Solely two gamers within the league had extra factors than David Pastrnak after 11 video games: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

These items occur.

Additionally taking place? A possible profession 12 months for Boston’s daring winger. That is saying one thing for Pastrnak, who managed a second 40-goal exhibiting final season, whereas averaging over a point-per-game tempo, with 77 in 72 video games. This season Pastrnak buried eight objectives and 19 factors by the 12-game mark, together with eight factors in his first 4 outings alone.

Boston knew it might want Pastrnak taking part in at his greatest with out Marchand within the combine (particularly when Marchand was purported to be unavailable till Thanksgiving). Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci coming again on one-year contracts would not be sufficient to fill the offensive void. So Pastrnak kicked issues up a notch, and his timing has been excellent.

Pastrnak’s terrific play not solely advantages the Bruins now, but it surely’s materializing within the remaining season of his six-year, $39.9 million deal. The 26-year-old can be an unrestricted free agent this summer season if he does not attain an settlement with Boston earlier than that. Mainly, that is Pastrnak’s second, and he has taken full benefit.

“He is a person on a mission, proper?” Foligno stated. “It is simply the age too. You begin to actually perceive your self. And I feel that is the place Pasta has come to. He is turn into a person now in his mindset, his strategy to the sport. The abilities have all the time been there however while you add the remainder, you turn into extra of a superpower and that is what you see from him. He isn’t afraid to belief his instincts. He understands the gamers he is taking part in with, he is assured in who he’s as an individual, and I feel it is simply popping out within the recreation.”

Boston may have anticipated Pastrnak’s prowess. The sturdy begin from his linemate Krejci was extra unsure. The 36-year-old spent 2021-22 with Olomouc HC in his native Czech Republic earlier than deciding to return again to the NHL for an additional season. How rapidly Krejci readjusted was a query mark. He turned that into an exclamation level, netting two objectives and eight factors by eight video games previous to being injured on Oct. 27.

Krejci has additionally been the right accomplice to his different linemate, Taylor Corridor. They skated collectively late within the 2020-21 season, and Corridor’s top-end pace complemented Krejci’s playmaking. Absence clearly made the center develop fonder, as a result of they’ve picked up issues seamlessly, mirrored in Corridor’s personal quick begin with 5 objectives and 9 factors in 12 video games.

Having Pastrnak as a part of that equation too? Who can actually name them a “second line?”

Depth of character

Sure, the Bruins have top-end skills. However they have not been top-heavy. The distinction lies in Boston’s depth.

Within the first 12 video games, all however one common ahead (Tomas Nosek) produced no less than one aim. A number of skaters had been in double-digit level totals or averaging greater than some extent per recreation.

Whereas Marchand missed the primary two weeks, Boston nonetheless rang up the third-most objectives within the league (4.14 per recreation) and the sixth most photographs (35.6 per contest). Their dominance continued even with out contributions from McAvoy, a high-level offensive defenseman who has paced the membership’s blueliners with 27 objectives and 146 factors in his previous 250 video games.

Krejci missed time with an damage. Ditto Jake DeBrusk. Boston’s bevy of choices left it unbothered by the disruptions.

“We’ve got a lot depth, and we’re profitable by committee proper now,” Marchand stated. “It is arduous for groups to maintain the tempo that we’re taking part in at each shift, and finally we simply break groups down and get alternatives. With the expertise that we’ve on every line, we’ll capitalize. Some groups have one or two good traces, however we’ve 4. It is exhibiting up when one line has a tricky evening, [but] one other line is stepping up and producing and taking up the sport.”

Greer has individually embodied that mentality and turn into Boston’s shock standout. It barely registered when Greer signed a two-year, $1.5 million free agent contract final summer season. In spite of everything, the journeyman entered this season with two objectives and eight factors in 47 NHL video games from 2016-17 to 2021-22. However there was one thing concerning the slot in Boston.

It took simply 4 tilts in black and gold for Greer to ascertain new season-long profession highs in objectives (three) and factors (5). Greer — a Boston College alum, as well — was so thrilled to attain in entrance of the Bruins’ dwelling crowd he truly kissed his jersey in celebration.

He has additionally been a wholesome scratch some video games, reflecting simply what number of candidates Boston has from which to decide on. Greer finds the continual battle for ice time motivating.

“I feel there is a aggressive vitality within the backside six as a result of anybody can play at any given time,” he stated. “It is a aggressive setting right here and guys push me to be as greatest as I can each day. So, issues have labored out statistically, however I feel my recreation on the whole has taken only a leap ahead so far as consistency and discovering what I must do greatest within the within the NHL. I am actually joyful about that and simply making an attempt to construct off it each day.”

Foligno has almost 1,000 extra video games expertise than Greer, however performs an identical position in elevating Boston’s assault. From a principally fourth-line perch, Foligno managed three objectives and 7 factors in 12 video games — already nearing his 13-point whole by 64 outings a season in the past.

When Boston is wholesome, the struggle to remain in play intensifies. That is a part of the enjoyable. Newbies and veterans alike wish to earn their spot, however depart ego on the door regardless.

“I feel each man realizes how essential [their contribution] is to this crew’s success, whether or not you are in or out of the lineup,” Foligno stated. “Each man takes accountability [because] there is a man that is a reasonably darn good participant ready within the wings to return in. So, while you’re in, you wish to do the job you are requested to and while you’re not, you are itching for that chance to get again and simply assist the group.

“That is additionally the mindset and the tradition in right here. The best way that it has been in Boston is the next-man-up mentality, and you do not wish to let anybody down and I feel each man is de facto relishing that chance that they’ve right here.”

A brand new dominant D-man

Boston could not change McAvoy. However Hampus Lindholm certain gave it a shot.

Take into account Lindholm’s position in Boston’s wild, come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh this month. The Penguins had a 5-2 lead within the second interval and the Bruins had been down a defender after Derek Forbort suffered an upper-body damage within the first. Confronting that multigoal deficit with a depleted blue line was daunting.

Till Lindholm put the Bruins on his again. He assisted on Boston’s subsequent three objectives that compelled time beyond regulation, after which went coast-to-coast scoring the game-winner.

Montgomery known as Lindholm “phenomenal” after that efficiency. It may need been an understatement.

“I can say that I’ve performed with good defensemen, and I watch hockey commonly,” Greer stated. “And I might say Lindholm is certainly one of many extra impactful D-men I’ve seen within the NHL.”

Lindholm’s numbers this season again that up. He ranked third amongst league defenders with 13 factors by 12 video games, had an NHL-best plus-12 ranking, and averages a powerful 24:06 minutes of ice time per recreation — the majority of that are performed towards the opponent’s high forwards.

That is the Lindholm that Boston hoped for when buying him by way of commerce with the Anaheim Geese final March. McAvoy hadn’t had a real top-pairing accomplice, and the Bruins wager on Lindholm — with an eight-year, $52 million contract signed after the commerce — to be that man.

And so plainly he might be. Lindholm and McAvoy have skated collectively in practices, however Montgomery additionally likes Lindholm with Connor Clifton. That is the factor about Lindholm — he can work properly with nearly anybody.

That is to not say Boston does not miss McAvoy, in fact, at even power and quarterbacking its energy play (Boston is at 23.2% — 14th general — on the person benefit). However Lindholm arguably has been Boston’s first-quarter MVP and is producing Norris Trophy buzz whereas conserving the Bruins’ again finish intact with out McAvoy (and extra not too long ago Forbort) of their midst.

“It is unbelievable how [Lindholm] can get away from guys,” Foligno stated. “His poise with the puck, you suppose he has a play open after which he waits that further second and a greater play opens up. He is actually given us an actual footing with Charlie being out and he is logged loads of minutes. However simply [with] his calmness, his poise — it is simply settled everybody down on the again finish. And he is nearly welcoming it; that is what’s neat about him. He welcomes the additional minutes and the strain.”

There could be extra eyes on Lindholm now than ever earlier than in his profession. That features a few of his teammates. Foligno admits he did not see a lot of Lindholm when he was taking part in out west, and Greer claimed to not know “one factor about him” earlier than they shared a dressing room.

Lindholm is not fooling anybody now.

“He is an insane hockey participant, and an incredible individual,” Greer stated. “I didn’t know he was that good. And each single evening, he simply places on a present. It is loopy. And he does it so simply. It appears to be like so seamless for him. He’ll play half-hour an evening and he has the identical vitality on the finish that he had within the first interval on his first shift. I feel he is been a fantastic addition and a fantastic instrument for us.”

All in on Ullmark

The 2 most up-to-date Bruins goalies to begin a season 8-0-0 had been Tim Thomas in 2010-11 and Linus Ullmark in 2022-23.

Thomas backstopped Boston to a Stanley Cup that season. Ullmark want to do the identical.

Boston leaned on Ullmark early, and he has embraced being one of many NHL’s busiest netminders. These league-leading eight victories got here with a .929 SV% and a couple of.16 goals-against common, plus a goals-saved above common of seven.0 (sixth general). And the veteran will not be getting a relaxation any time quickly.

The Bruins deliberate on utilizing its identical goalie tandem of Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman that contributed a lot to their success final season (to not point out a landslide of goalie hug memes). After Tuukka Rask’s troublesome return from damage in January — and his subsequent retirement following 4 appearances — the Bruins’ crease belonged wholly to then-rookie Swayman and Ullmark to share.

Each are succesful starters, meant to be equally concerned all through this season. Then Swayman went down with a lower-body damage on Nov. 1 and was moved to injured reserve (he is listed as week-to-week). Ullmark instantly inherited elevated accountability — in live performance with Swayman’s substitute Keith Kinkaid — to guard the home.

Luckily, Ullmark’s been up for a heavy workload. And fortuitously for Ullmark there is a sturdy ahead group in entrance of him to generate wanted aim assist, to not point out that Lindholm-led protection which is high 5 in objectives towards to this point.

It takes a village, as they are saying. And Ullmark’s consistency has been foundational to what Boston is constructing.

How excessive can these Bruins climb? Keep tuned for the following chapter.