Bruins finish the preseason strong, prepare for opening night.

Sep 26, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Boston Bruins forward

(38) during the third period at MTS Centre. Bruins win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins had overall a strong preseason this year. The went 6-1, outscoring their collective opponents 24 to 17. The Bruins organization made several big tweaks to the roster, and so far almost all of them have met or exceeded expectations. With opening night just four days away, the Bruins want to push their way back into another Stanley Cup Final. It certainly has been a much longer preseason than last year’s last second one (courtesy of the lockout).

“It’s been a long camp after what we went through last year going from one week of camp right into regular season games,” said Milan Lucic. “It’s been good to get comfortable with the news guys on the team and getting to knew them. But we’re definitely getting a little restless at this point, and can’t wait for next week to start.”

The only lingering question after yesterday’s series of cuts is who is going to be the last man standing in the race to earn a slot as a Bruins forward. It’a two man race now, between Nick Johnson and Jordan Caron. Both Johnson and Caron potted goals in the Friday night preseason finale in Saskatoon, and while Johnson had four goals in the preseason and (in my opinion) played better overall hockey, Caron has been one of those players the Bruins have been molding into the Julien system, and as of this moment, it’s still just too close to call.

“The last few games I feel like I really stepped up and played pretty good,” said Caron. “I’m feeling more confident and we’ll go from there. I think they know that I want this and that I’ve been working really hard for three years now. This is my fourth and I just hope the chips will fall into place. I’m just working really hard, trying to be good on the fore-check and have a good stick while I’m creating battles down there. That’s my game and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

“We’ve had a lot of games,” said Johnson. “I had a good time. Overall it’s gone well. It’s a new team for me, so I did what I could. I just tried to play and do what I could do. As you grow up in your professional career, you always realize that [coaches and the organization’s top brass] are watching you. So you never really remove yourself from that in your career.”

The Bruins will also be getting used to the new Atlantic Division as well, as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night at the TD Garden.