The Boston Bruins closed out the month of October at 10-4-1 following a 5-4 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. They ended the month in first place in a loaded Atlantic Division, but are they that good or just lucky through the first month of the season?
That will be determined over time, but right now, their record says that they are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Here are four winners and three losers from the Bruins' first month of the 2026-27 season.
Winner: Jeremy Swayman
Boston's top netminder has three losses this season, two in the last week to the Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, along with an early-season setback to the Ottawa Senators. The common theme in all three losses? His teammates scored just one goal in each game.
Goaltending has been huge for the Black and Gold in the first month of the sason with Michael DiPietro losing just once, while also picking up his career win and shutout, all within a week. Goaltending has not been the reason for the five losses the Bruins have had this season. They are turning into quite the duo.
Loser: Morgan Geekie
Sure, Morgan Geekie scored the game-tying goal with 12 seconds left in the third period on Saturday afternoon against the Blackhawks, but it was just his second goal of the season in what has been an underwhelming start to the season for Geekie. Somehow, the Black and Gold have 10 wins with him scoring just two goals, but if they can get more production from him, then it would go a long way toward helping them win more games.
Winner: James Hagens
There has been a lot of discussion about the Bruins youth movement this season, and a big reason for the youth movement has been James Hagens. He had a great Prospects Challenge, and he has carried that over to the regular season. In 15 games this season, the 2025 first-round draft pick, No. 7 overall, has five goals and six assists. The most impressive thing about his game is that he's scoring most of his goals around the net. Great sign.
Loser: Pavel Zacha
Entering the final year of his contract, Pavel Zacha hasn't exactly looked great to begin the season. Is he hurt? Does he have his contract in the back of his mind? There are times when he looks good, then there are times when he hasn't looked great. It feels like this is going to end with a trade, not an extension, which might not be the worst thing. He has scored some big goals, but his overall play has left a lot to be desired.
Winner: Bruins fourth line
Boston has wanted to be tough to play against last season and this season, and their fourth line has done that. Whether it's Sean Kuraly or Matthew Poitras centering the line, Tanner Jeannot and Mark Kastelic have been very good. They have picked up some big goals and some timely shifts that have changed momentum. They have been very good, no matter who has been on the line.
Loser: Nikita Zadorov
It's easy to point out that it has been a rough start to the season for defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but it can't be ignored. It was so bad on the West Coast trip that Sturm made him a healthy scratch against the Los Angeles Kings after taking some undisciplined penalties against the Anaheim Ducks the night before. Truth be told, he hasn't been great since returning, and it compounds how long and bad that contract could be turning into as the years go on.
Winner: Marat Khusnutdinov
Another player entering the season in a contract season is Marat Khusnutdinov. Acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline in 2025, he has been very good, and he got a much-deserved contract extension in October for three years at $11.85 million with a $3.95 million AAV. That is not only a great contract for Khusnutdinov, but also for the Bruins in terms of salary cap management.
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