After saying that the Boston Bruins were one of the biggest surprises in th 2026-27 season through the first month, should we still be surprised? They are 13-4-1, and their four losses have been in pairs of two-game losing streaks, but each time, they made sure that it stopped there. Their overtime loss to Dallas ended a four-game West Coast trip and was followed by a dominating win over the Nashville Predators at home.
Boston's success is something that is still a surprise outside of Massachusetts, but a lot of hockey analysts are catching on. That includes Lyle Fitzsimmons of Bleacher Report, who moved the Black and Gold up in his latest NHL Power Rankings.
Bruins move back up in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings
Fitzsimmons released his latest power rankings, and after moving them down to No. 4 last week after losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues at the end of October, he moved them back up to No. 2 after three wins in the last seven days. Two dominating wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers helped.
"The Bruins have been difficult to beat regardless of location so far in 2026-27 but it's been nearly impossible in Boston, where the team's Sunday defeat of Florida lifted it to 8-1-0 at home. Boston's 29 home wins last season were first in the NHL,'' wrote Fitzsimmons.
A 6-2 rout of the Penguins on the road last week was a statement in an arena that has caused problems for the Black and Gold in recent years. Then, Sunday's statement win over the Panthers opened some eyes and continued their home dominance.
Sure, Florida is banged up injury-wise with some key players out, including former Bruins captain Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov, but it was still another feather in Marco Sturm's cap. Boston grabbed a 3-0 first-period lead and rode a 40-save performance from goalie Jeremy Swayman to a 4-1 win.
Now, let's make one thing clear: power rankings in November literally mean nothing. In the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference this season, a lengthy losing streak could be devastating in terms of playoff positioning as the season goes along. It is something that the Black and Gold have avoided, so far.
The month of November is one where it is a home-heavy slate for the Bruins, and so far, they are 2-0-0 with their next three games against the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, and Los Angeles Kings. It's going to be a test that certainly says a lot about Sturm's club halfway through the month.
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