The Boston Bruins surprised everyone during the 2025-26 season, recording another 100-point season after a 2024-25 campaign where they tore down most of their roster and looked to be heading toward a rebuild. Instead of going into a full rebuild, Don Sweeney and Cam Neely preached more toughness, added character to their bottom six, and relied on a shocking breakout from their second line and a bounce-back season from Jeremy Swayman to make the postseason.
It might be hard to believe that the Bruins could surprise everyone again after that outstanding season, but the oddsmakers are believing that the comeback was one-and-done. Bet365 has the Bruins projected at 86.5 points, and in Daily Faceoff's recent segment with Carter Hutton and Tyler Yaremchuk, they believe Boston will surpass that projection.
Boston might be one of the most underrated teams heading into next season
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) August 19, 2026
Presented by: bet365 (@bet365ca)https://t.co/Fx0nkxWvrn - #bet365@tyleryaremchuk | @CarterHutton4 pic.twitter.com/EDeUUrEDBX
Public opinion on social media also hasn't been kind to the Bruins, as countless fans across the league are puzzled by how they managed to bounce back last season and are skeptical that they can do it again. Admittedly, there were some advanced analytics, such as Jeremy Swayman's goals saved above expected, that showed Boston might've gotten a bit lucky with outstanding goaltending play last season. Still, there is reason to believe for 2026-27.
Why the Bruins could be one of the NHL's most underrated teams
One of the main reasons for Daily Faceoff's prediction is the addition of JJ Peterka, whom they believe will fit in very well on a potential first line with Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak. Peterka had a couple of good seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before they traded him to the Utah Mammoth, and he just wasn't a fit on the West Coast.
Peterka's chance to play with one of the league's best right wingers, another European center, and to be coached by a German head coach and an assistant coach with whom he was close on his youth team in Germany creates a perfect storm for him to settle in and be a star in Boston. It isn't always that easy, and it might not come true, but the front office believes in the idea.
One reason I believe the Bruins will be underrated is that it is the group's second year under Marco Sturm. The system was a bit different and caused some confusion defensively, but another year with essentially the same group should help the team settle in.
The Bruins may not be a 100-point team again, but saying they could be around 87 points and on par with a team like the Detroit Red Wings is a stretch.
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