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Since 2017-18, the Boston Bruins have regularly finished among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They’ve finished no lower than sixth overall during that stretch, won the Presidents’ Trophy twice (2019-20, 2022-23), and finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
This season, however, the Bruins stumbled from the gate. As of Nov. 17, they were clinging to eighth overall with a record of eight wins, eight losses, and three overtime losses for 19 points in as many games. At times, they’ve even been near the bottom of the standings and recently suffered a humiliating 7-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.
The Bruins once had a strong goalie tandem with Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. With Ullmark traded to the Ottawa Senators during the offseason, Swayman and his new partner Joonas Korpisalo have a goals-against per game (3.37) that’s among the league’s worst. Missing training camp due to contract negotiations adversely affected Swayman’s play.
Offseason acquisitions like center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov appear to be struggling to adjust to their new teammates. Lindholm was brought in to be their first-line center, but he’s seeing second-line duty while Zadorov is skating on their third defense pairing.