As the days continue to get closer to Christmas, The Boston Bruins believe they are a team destined to receive a big gift from Santa this year. A playoff spot. The hard working and relentless B’s currently sit second in the Atlantic division behind Tampa Bay. This of course could change by the time you’re reading this since the entire Eastern Conference is seemingly separated by a point or two. Regardless of the parity, Boston has earned their place in the standings with an impressive 19-13 start. For what they lack in skill and depth, the team has carved out an identity that has the league taking notice. The Bruins have swagger. They play like a team with a chip on their shoulders every night, and it produces wins. Stout goaltending from Jeremy Swayman is also going a long way. Is it all sustainable? Perhaps not since an 82-game schedule tends to wear physical teams down by the winter months. However, the Bruins have been surviving their injury troubles just fine. They managed an impressive 3-2 record without stars Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak, both of whom returned this week. McAvoy returning a mere four weeks after jaw surgery that included a metal plate being inserted into the defenseman’s face is nothing short of miraculous. Oh, and he logged over 24 minutes versus Winnipeg Thursday in his first game back.
“A lot of fun. The guys have been playing great hockey. It is always tough to sit out, especially when they’re looking like they’re having a lot of fun and playing really good,” McAvoy said. “It’s a joy to be back, playing with this group. We had a great game tonight. That’s a big road win.”
David Pastrnak returned Tuesday night after missing five games and has a cool 2-5-7 stat line in those six periods. The future captain of the Bruins picked up right where he left off.
“I just try to play the right way,” Pastrnak said. “When you’re winning, it’s much easier to just join the group. That’s what my main focus was. They were playing great hockey when guys were out.”
Added coach Marco Sturm; “At the end of the day, our structure keeps us safe. It is protecting us from stuff like that – injuries, you name it,” Sturm said. “Our third period, it’s been our best period as of late. But because we do all the work, we grind teams out in the first 40 minutes. I feel like we have another gear in the third period, because our skill guys take over.”
The vibes, as they say, are high for the Bruins. With the group truly playing as a team, success continues as we approach the mid-way point of the 2025-26 NHL season. It might be time the hockey world gave Boston, and Sturm more specifically, more recognition.
The Bruins can’t take anything for granted however, as teams in the Atlantic division are all within striking distance. With the condensed schedule this season due to the winter Olympics in Italy, teams are all battling attrition. Case in point, the Bruins lost both Jonathan Aspirot and Viktor Arvidsson Thursday to injury. Neither player is expected to finish the week and will be reevaluated back in Boston.
For a team that was predicted to struggle with scoring, the Bruins currently sit sixth best league wide. The Bruins have swagger. The challenge from here on is to hold on to that edge and continue to be that hard out. So far, it’s proving to be what GM Don Sweeney envisioned this past offseason.
The Lookahead
The Bruins finish their three-game road trip Sunday evening in Minnesota where they’ll officially be Quinn Hughes’ first opponent as a member of the Wild. They then return to Boston for a five-game home stand with games versus the Mammoth (Tuesday), Oilers (Thursday) and back-to-back weekend matchups against Vancouver and Ottawa. A big week awaits before Santa comes to town. Merry Christmas everyone! As the league approaches the Christmas break, the Boston Bruins have found themselves on the outside looking in. After a very mediocre week of action in which the B’s went 1-2-1, they have slipped to fourth place in the ultra-tight Atlantic Division. They currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference and are not in a playoff spot. This team will need to find more ways to win to keep up in the winter months, and there is no guarantee that they’ll be able to. In what is a transitional season in Boston, a good start has the group in a better-than-expected place. However, there is still a lot of hockey to be played. Here is what I think should be on the Bruins Christmas wish list this holiday season.
Less Penalties Taken
The Bruins are the most penalized team in the NHL. Their penalty kill has faltered over the past few weeks, and the results are evident. Penalties are killing them. Boston must find a way to keep their defensive game on point without crossing the line. Far too many times they find themselves in the box because of stick infractions. Teams are making them pay.
Endless Mediocrity in the Atlantic
For as inconsistent as the Bruins are, the rest of the division isn’t much better. Detroit is currently leading the way, but only four points separate them and the B’s from fourth place. Florida, Ottawa and the suddenly surging Sabres are hot on the Bruins tales as they sit at a mere point or two behind. Every win, or loser point for that matter, will count.
Health Power
Boston has not had a lot of luck in the health department thus far but has found a way to tread water. Injuries to Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak, Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt have challenged the team’s depth early on. The Bruins simply cannot afford to see any of their star players back on the shelf in the second half. The defensive core has taken the biggest hit of all as the team has already used eleven players on the blueline. Tops in the league.
Injury Shield for the Olympics
Boston will potentially have six players representing their countries at the Winter Olympics in Italy. David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha (Czechia), Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman (USA) and Elias and Hampus Lindholm (Sweden) could all get the call when rosters are announced. The Bruins can boast this showing of talent, but one must think management will be crossing their fingers they all return to Boston healthy.
A Recipe for Leaf’s to Lose but Not Too Much
No Bruin’s fan ever wants to see the Toronto Maple Leaf’s do well and this year is no exception. The Bruins acquired the Leaf’s 2026 first round draft pick at last year’s deadline in the Brandon Carlo trade that also saw them net Fraser Minton. The Leaf’s are not off to a good start this season, and this has Bruins fans paying extra attention given the circumstances around that pick. Though it is top five protected, the Bruins stand to have a very good draft slot if Toronto can’t turn their season around. Lose Leaf’s Lose. Just not too much.
A Robust Seller’s Market at the Deadline
The Bruins should still be sellers at the deadline. With UFA’s to be Andrew Peeke, Viktor Arvidsson and Alex Steeves potentially available, Boston should take advantage and move them. Even if the Bruins were to secure a wild card spot and qualify for the playoffs, those players are not going to be the difference between a first round victory and a four-game sweep at the hands of a superior opponent. GM Don Sweeney has committed to the retool this far and must continue to do so regardless of where this team finishes in April.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a great start to 2026! The hockey world has a lot to look forward to as we flip the calendar to a new year. Thanks to Pawel and Evan for the opportunity to cover the Bruins and to anyone and everyone that takes the time to read my articles! See you in 2026!
Grant Cumming
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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