The Boston Bruins opened the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night with a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers at TD Garden. It was the type of game you expected from a Marco Sturm-coached team: low-scoring, grinding it out late in the game, and getting a timely goal.
The game was scoreless until the final four minutes, when the Black and Gold struck for three goals 75 seconds apart for the win. Boston had a lot of scoring chances throughout the game, but Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was up for the challenge, including getting some help from the post and crossbar. Down the other end, Jeremy Swayman was just as good giving his team a chance to strike late and win.
However, going into the season, there are some questions as to whether the Black and Gold are going to be good enough to earn a second straight postseason berth next spring. However, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN doesn't think that the Bruins addressed enough needs to get in, especially in one area.
"I do like the addition of JJ Peterka, whose ill-fitting time in Utah ended after one season. But there's just not enough offense for me to depend on after Pasta,'' wrote Wyshynski.
ESPN analyst drops the cold, hard truth for the Bruins 2026-27 season
It didn't take long for Peterka to make his presence felt. After Fraser Minten opened the scoring late in the game, Peterka made a nifty move around New York defenseman Braden Schneider to score and give the Black and Gold some cushion with a 2-0 lead before Mark Kastelic sealed the game with an empty-net goal seconds later.
However, Wyshynski has a point. Depth scoring has always been an issue for the Bruins, and it was last year. Wyshynski also pointed out that Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie having career years again might be a little unrealistic. That makes not re-signing Viktor Arvidsson a decision that Boston might regret. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings for an AAV of $5 million, which was something Bruins general manager Don Sweeney could have done. Adding Peterka and bringing back Arvidsson would have given a different outlook on Boston's depth scoring and offense.
The Atlantic Division is arguably going to be the best in the league this season. Top to bottom, on a nightly basis, points are going to be at a premium. Boston is going to need offense from everyone, including prospect James Hagens. If that happens, they can be in the playoff mix at the end of the season. If not, then they could be selling at the March trade deadline. That margin of error is that thin this winter.
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