Make no mistake about it, the Boston Bruins are one of the biggest surprises, if not the biggest surprise team in the NHL to begin the season. When the puck dropped on the 2026-27 season one month ago, who had the Black and Gold sitting on top of the Atlantic Division with 19 points?
Not many. However, there is still a lot of hockey to be played this season, and the Bruins face their biggest early-season test on Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina, against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Following the morning skate at the Lenovo Center, second-year Bruins coach Marco Sturm didn't mince words about a showdown between the top teams point-wise in the Eastern Conference.
“Those are great challenges,” Sturm said. “It is the team you want to beat – that’s how I see it. They did a great job last season, and they’re already in championship form right now, so it’s going to be great for us going into a game like that. Do our best to play the best to beat the best team, so that’s how I feel.”
Bruins face an early-season test against the Hurricanes
Since dropping a 4-1 decision to the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 5 at the TD Garden, the Black and Gold have secured wins in seven of their last eight games. Their lone loss was a 3-2 setback to the Dallas Stars one week ago in Texas. Points in eight straight games is not something that many around the NHL had on their bingo card for Boston at the end of October.
However, that's where we are at. Now, beginning a two-game road trip that ends on Thursday against former coach Jim Montgomery and the St. Louis Blues, the Bruins are facing the opportunity to make another early-season statement. Two losses and the narrative will quickly change on Sturm's club.
How has Boston done early in the season? They have been getting tremendous goaltending from Jeremy Swayman, who will get the start in Carolina, and Michael DiPietro. The kids have been impressive, with Fraser Minten picking up where he left off last season, while James Hagens and Matthew Poitras are contributing in the bottom six. On defense, newly acquired Will Borgen and youngsters Mason Lohrei and Frederic Brunet have been solid.
Sturm knows what this game against the Hurricanes holds for his club as the month of October comes to a close. If you want to be considered among the best, you have to beat the best. That's what the Black and Gold face on Tuesday night.
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