The final two teams to play their 40th game of the season did so Thursday. One of those teams was the Boston Bruins, the defending Stanley Cup champions. Here is their season to date:
Boston Bruins: 28-11-1, good for 57 points:
Meet the best team in the NHL at this moment. No, they don't have as many points as other teams, but that's only because they've played less games. On a per game average, they are the best. However, if you need further proof this is the best team, look to their goal differential. It is a staggering plus-71. The next best total is plus-37. No team has scored more goals. No team has allowed less. They aren't slowing down either, as they are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.
The scoring is being led by Tyler Seguin. As a rookie, he showed promise but was raw. That is not the case this season. He has 17 goals and 38 points, not to mention a plus-33 rating, despite missing a game. All of those lead the team. Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Brad Marchand all have at least 32 points as well. On defense, Zdeno Chara has been his usual self. He has seven goals and 26 points in 38 games, and he is a plus-28.
All that being said, it is Boston's goaltending that really stands out. Last season, Tim Thomas won his second Vezina Trophy, and he has been just as impressive this year. He has a .939 save percentage in 27 games. However, he has somehow been outperformed by Tuukka Rask. Rask has a .945 SV% in 15 games. Rask leads the league in SV%. Thomas is second. That is amazing.
The Bruins are going to win the Northeast Division. That seems like a lock now. They may not end up finishing with the best record in the East, or in the league, but right now I think both of those things will be the case. They have a deep roster on offense and defense, and perhaps the best two goalies in the NHL. That is a recipe for success, and it could be a recipe for a Stanley Cup repeat.
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