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The Boston Bruins and the Long Road Ahead this Season

By Dan Luise |
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 15: Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Dallas Stars on January 15, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Stars defeated the Bruins 3-2 (OT). (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 15: Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) celebrates his goal with his teammates during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Dallas Stars on January 15, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Stars defeated the Bruins 3-2 (OT). (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins have found some great success so far this season. With 53 games down and 29 more to go, what does the remaining schedule look like for the black and gold?

There is no denying the success of the Boston Bruins so far this season. In 53 games, they are 33-12-8. I could go on and on about different players on the team and how much fun these 52 games have been.

But, with 29 still to play, there is a lot to overcome between now and April. The Bruins had an easier opening to the season and have had games in hand with teams in the standings most of the year. Which means, now is crunch time and a jam-packed schedule for the black and gold.

By the Numbers

Let’s take a look at the Bruins schedule going forward:

  • 29 games in 57 days
  • 12 Home Games
  • 17 Away Games
  • Longest Homestand is 6 Games
  • Longest Road Trip is 5 Games
  • 12 Atlantic Divisional Games
  • 6 Back to Backs

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The Battle for Number One

The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to lead the Atlantic Divison, as they have for almost the whole season. But, over the last month and a half, the surging Bruins have been nipping at their heels. The Bruins are currently five points behind with two games in hand.

During these last 57 days, these two teams will see each other three times. The first time they played each other, back in November, it was the Bruins who came out on top, 3-2. I do believe Tampa will finish first in the Atlantic, but these could be a very important three games between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 29: Tampa Bay’s first goal eludes Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 29, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Lightning 3-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 29: Tampa Bay’s first goal eludes Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 29, 2017, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Lightning 3-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

What Does the Schedule Look Like?

Starting March 6, the Bruins play every other night the remainder of the season, with a couple back to backs sprinkled in. That is a lot of traveling and hockey for any team, especially one loaded with rookies in the middle of their first 82-game NHL seasons.

At this point, the Bruins are a league-leading 15-5-4 on the road. With a five-game road trip and multiple 4-game trips, their ability to get wins on the road will be needed. In the middle of March, they face a tough two-week stretch, starting and ending against Tampa. In 13 days, the Bruins will be at Tampa, vs Columbus, at St. Louis, at Dallas, at Minnesota, at Winnipeg and then finish off at home vs Tampa. To just go .500 in that stretch of road games would be nice, even for a red-hot team.

There are plenty of games in those 30 against teams much lower in the standings. But, at the end of the day, this is the NHL. Anything can happen, as evidenced by last night’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres. You never know what team might show up one night, especially when all these games are right on top of each other.

Next: Why the Bruins should trade for Vanek

One concern is obviously the health of the roster. Hopefully, the team can stay healthy, continue playing the great hockey they played in the first 53, and be ready come playoff time. This young team has shown some great potential thus far, but there is still a long road ahead for the Boston Bruins.

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