by Roger Quinn

Created on: August 10, 2010   Last Updated: August 12, 2010

The Boston Bruins surprised most people last season by making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.  Despite the lack in team speed and a points leader with only 52 points, the Bruins still have a formidable team.  The addition of Nathan Horton adds some goal scoring and if Marc Savard can return from an injury filled season, the Bruins will have another playmaker to add to the mix.

The Bruins should have a much easier time scoring goals this season if some key pieces return to their old selves.  Nathan Horton could be a perennial 30 goal scorer if he could just play hard for 82 games.  And on a line with Savard and Sturm or Blake Wheeler they Bruins would have a decent first line.  The second line could see some more problems, but with the Bruins depth at center any issues should be taken care of.  Another possibility is second overall draft pick Tyler Seguin cracking the roster eventually.  If he makes it this year look for him to be on the third or fourth lines with some powerplay time.  With the extra player somebody could be bumped up, which helps with second or third lines.

Enough about offense, defense is how the Bruins win.  Tukka Rask looked like one of the best goalies in the NHL last season.  And if he tires towards the end Boston has Tim Thomas waiting behind him.  How many teams have a Vezina winner as a backup option?  If Rask is able to put up the same numbers that he did last season, Boston will challenge Buffalo for the division title.  Sure his numbers are helped by the fact that the Bruins are a defensive team, but he is a very good goalie.

Behind Zdeno Chara Boston has some unknown defensemen.  But these defensemen happen to be very good.  Boston allowed just 2.33 goals per game last season, second only to New Jersey.  That is truly an incredible number.  This starts with the blueline.  All of Boston's defenders are tough and can get the puck out of the zone fairly well.  They will not put up many points, but then again neither will anybody else not on Boston's first line.

The Bruins should be able to make another playoff run this season.  If they can find some scoring they should be considered a second tier contender in the East.  If they struggle to score they could be a weak second round team for Pittsburgh or Washington to beat up on.

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