After missing the playoffs last season for the first time in a long time, Boston Bruins fans have been speculating the likelihood of a one year playoff drought. Finishing 5th in the Atlantic Division last year was what really put Boston out of contention, earning only a few points less than the Ottawa Senators. This year, the Boston Bruins will need to, at the very least, do better within their own division if they will have any chance of returning to the postseason.
If you have not yet read the other Atlantic Division Rankings articles, please click on the links here to read about the Boston Bruins offense, defense and goalies and how they rank with the other Atlantic Division teams. When creating this Atlantic Division Ranking, I tallied the rankings from all of the previously discussed positions. With these results, I have come up with the following list of who will rank where in the Atlantic Division this upcoming season.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Overall Rankings
1. Montreal Canadiens
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Boston Bruins
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Florida Panthers
7. Toronto Maple Leafs
8. Buffalo Sabres
Now, it is important to realize that this list is based completely on what these teams look like on paper and how the players on each team performed last season. Certain things that weren’t taken into consideration were the coaches, the special teams, the home game advantages and much more.
This list is what is most likely to happen based on what each team has at their disposal in October. What happens from then until April is anyone’s guess, but if you were to bet on certain teams to be successful, the Montreal Canadiens would be your best option in the Atlantic Division.
Puck Prose
So, where does that leave Boston? Considering the Bruins had such an incredible off year last season and are still ranked 4th in the division overall, signs are pointing to the Bruins re-entering the post season. They are a team that is more than capable of catching the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost the best coach in the NHL, in Mike Babcock. However, they are also more than capable of being caught by the Ottawa Senators, like they were last year, and the Florida Panthers, who always seem to be in the race.
There are many who believe that last year was a fluke for Bruins, but there are also many who believe that last year was the beginning of the end for Boston. The team is in a position this year where they could prove both believers wrong, or right. The future is in their hands and the time to make it their own is now.
Do you agree with this list? What about the other lists? To read more on the Atlantic Division Rankings, click on offense, defense, or goalies. For more access to the Boston Bruins, follow 29Bruins on Twitter.