Boston Bruins: Revisiting the best home openers in recent memory

By jc | Oct 12, 2019

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Boston Bruins right defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) looks to clear the puck during a preseason game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on September 25, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

2012: Bruins raise the Stanley Cup banner

One home opener definitely stands way above the rest.

The Boston Bruins opened the 2011-2012 season at home against the Flyers. Boston actually lost the game 2-1, but nobody remembers the outcome. People only remember the pregame ceremony.

The Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup the year before, so they raised the banner before the game against Philadelphia.

The pregame festivities were something special. The Bruins showcased the Stanley Cup in front of the home fans. Mark Recchi even returned to the Garden ice after retirement.

Then, Boston Bruins legends from every era joined the current players to raise the banner. Players like Bobby Orr and Milt Schmidt stood alongside Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron.

Words cannot do this ceremony justice. You have to see it to really understand its magnitude.

Home/History