Boston Bruins
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Boston Bruins, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: JJ Peterka, Ivan Ivan, Connor Clifton, Will Borgen
Key Departures: Joonas Korpisalo, Viktor Arvidsson, Andrew Peeke
Overview
The 2025-26 Boston Bruins season was a solid rebound from the previous year’s disappointment (when they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16), under first-year head coach Marco Sturm. Sturm led the Bruins team that had finished with its lowest point total (76) since 2007 to a 100-point season in his first year behind the bench. The B’s were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the Sabres in six games, losing all three games at home, which was surprising to say the least since the Bruins’ 29 home wins last season were the most by any team in the NHL.
Offense
Boston jumped from 27th in goals scored in 2024-25 to 10th overall last season, averaging half a goal per game more than the prior season. David Pastrnak hit the century mark in points for the fourth consecutive season. Center Pavel Zacha hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career (21 goals was his previous high) as well as setting career highs in points (65), power play goals (11) and power play points (22). Morgan Geekie led all B’s players with 39 goals. Fifteen of Geekie’s 39 goals opened the scoring for the Bruins (team high). Fraser Minten had a solid rookie season with 17 goals. JJ Peterka, acquired from Utah in the off-season, is coming off his third consecutive 25-goal season and could easily find himself playing with Pastrnak and Zacha on the Bruins’ top line.
Defense
The Bruins will be without number one defenseman Charlie McAvoy for the first six games of the season while he serves his suspension for his slash on the Buffalo Sabres Zach Benson in last season’s playoffs. McAvoy’s 61 points were 35 more than both Mason Lohrei and Hampus Lindholm, who were tied for second on the team in points. Nikita Zadorov had a bounce-back season and looked more comfortable slotting in on the third pair. Connor Clifton returns after spending two seasons in Buffalo and last season in Pittsburgh. He, along with Will Borgen, is better suited in a bottom pair. This group isn’t going to strike fear in the opposition.
Goaltending
After a year that saw Jeremy Swayman in a contract dispute, show up to camp just days before opening night, and then struggle through the season, the 2025-26 campaign saw the Boston netminder return to form. Boston traded backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo to the Rangers, opening the door for Michael DiPietro, who put up stellar numbers (34 wins, 1.91 GAA, 930 save percentage, 3 shutouts) with their AHL team in Providence last season, earning him the league’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Player to Watch
James Hagens got a taste of the NHL last season, playing a combined five games (regular season and playoffs) and earning one assist. The seventh overall pick in the 2025 Draft played two seasons at Boston College, and his 47 points led the Hockey East Conference last season. He scored 23 goals, six of which were game winners, and led the team. I expect Hagens to start the season on the third line alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he works his way into a top-six role and puts up at least 10 goals.
Outlook
Marco Sturm did a great job in his first year as head coach, getting the Bruins back to the playoffs, but Boston did little to improve itself in the summer. With the Panthers adding Brady Tkachuk and the return of a healthy Sasha Barkov and the Toronto Maple Leafs upgrading their roster, I expect Boston to be on the sidelines come playoff time.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 88.5 (Over -110, Under -120)
To Make the Playoffs: (+230)
Miss the Playoffs: (-310)
To Win the Division: (+3500)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+5000)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+10000)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 45-27-10 (100 points, 4th Atlantic Division)
Over/Under: 40-41-1
Home Favorite: 16-5 // Home Dog: 13-7
Road Favorite: 3-3 // Road Dog: 14-20
Win Score 4 or more: 27 of 45 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 26 of 37
Puck Line Wins: 25 of 45 // Puck Line Losses: 21 of 37
Front End Back-to-Back: 3-8 // Back End Back-to-Back: 6-5
Points Leader: David Pastrnak – 100
Goal Leader: Morgan Geekie – 39
Teams First Goal Leader: Morgan Geekie – 15
Assist Leader: David Pastrnak – 71
Shots on Goal Leader: David Pastrnak – 261
Blocked Shots: Andrew Peeke – 135
Depth Chart
Forwards
John-Jason Peterka / Pavel Zacha/ David Pastrnak
Casey Mittlestadt / Elias Lindholm / Morgan Geekie
James Hagens / Fraser Minten / Marat Khusnutdinov
Tanner Jeannot / Sean Kuraly / Mark Kastelic
Defense
Mason Lohrei / Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm / Will Borgen
Nikita Zadorov / Henri Jokiharju
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman / Michael DiPietro
