Can Anybody Cease the Boston Bruins’ Cost for a Seventh Stanley Cup?

The 2022-23 Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) season started on October 17, 2022, and attracts to an exhilarating conclusion in June 2023 with the crowning of the Stanley Cup champions. The Stanley Cup is skilled ice hockey’s most prestigious prize. There have been 106 Stanley Cups gained, however solely 25 groups have lifted the well-known trophy aloft, together with the Boston Bruins.

Boston Bruins followers have seen their beloved staff navigate to the Stanley Cup 20 instances. Solely the Toronto Maple Leafs (21), Detroit Pink Wings (24), and Montreal Canadiens (35) have appeared within the Stanley Cup extra instances than the Bruins. Nevertheless, the Bruins have returned residence because the runners-up in 14 of these video games and haven’t develop into NHL’s champions because the 2010-11 season. This 12 months, every little thing factors not solely towards the Bruins reaching the Stanley Cup finals as soon as once more however to get their arms on the winner’s trophy and get to name themselves hockey champions for a minimum of the following 12 months.

The Boston Bruins are the clear favorites with mytopsportsbooks.com to develop into the 2023 Stanley Cup champions, and it’s simple to say why. Via 77 of a scheduled 82 common season video games, the Bruins maintain a 60-12-5 file, which means they’ve solely misplaced 17 video games to this point and have amassed a league-best 125 factors. The Bruins rating targets for enjoyable (286 on the time of writing) and have a watertight protection (166 targets allowed). Solely the Edmonton Oilers (303) have had the puck at the back of the web extra instances than the Bruins, and no different staff’s protection is inside 30 targets allowed. An unstoppable offense mixed with a stingy protection is often the proper mixture to develop into a champion in your discipline.

The Report-Breaking Bruins

The present Boston Bruins staff broke the long-standing NHL file for video games taken to succeed in 100 factors. It took head coach Jim Montgomery’s staff solely 61 video games to succeed in three-figures value of factors, beating the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens by a single sport. Additionally they solely took 64 video games to file their fiftieth victory of the common season, one other NHL file. There are few, if any, NHL groups which have it in them to cease the Bruins charging towards what might be their seventh Stanley Cup title.

Proper winger David Pastrnak is likely one of the primary causes for the Bruins’ unbelievable offense. The 26-year-old Czech Republic native scored 40 targets and assisted 37 extra for 77 factors in 72 video games final season. This marketing campaign has seen Pastrnak rack up 56 targets, 47 assists, and 103 factors by means of 77 fixtures. It’s no surprise the Bruins tied Pastrnak to an eight-year $90 million contract in March 2023.

It isn’t solely Pastrnak banging within the targets as a result of 11 different Bruins gamers are into double-figures for targets scored. They embody Patrice Bergeron (27 targets and 30 assists) and Brad Marchand (20 targets and 43 assists).

On the different finish of the rink, goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have been in distinctive type all through the common season. Ullmark has confronted 1,406 photographs and saved 1,318 (93.7% ), permitting solely 88 targets for 1.90 targets in opposition to common. Swayman’s type can also be spectacular, with 776 saves from 844 photographs in opposition to (91.9%) and 68 targets in opposition to for a median of two.24 per sport.

Who Will Win the Stanley Cup if Not the Bruins?

It will take a courageous or foolish individual to decide on a staff apart from the Bruins to develop into the 2023 Stanley Cup champions, regardless of some elite-level groups heading for the playoffs. You shouldn’t write off the probabilities of reigning champions Colorado Avalanche or groups just like the Toronto Maple Leafs, however the Bruins look too sturdy in all departments. It would take the mom of all capitulations to cease a seventh Stanley Cup heading to the state of Boston.

Elements Working In opposition to the Boston Bruins

Whereas the Boston Bruins have a robust staff with a profitable historical past within the NHL, there are nonetheless a number of elements working in opposition to them of their pursuit of a seventh Stanley Cup. These elements vary from accidents to a scarcity of depth in sure positions, and even potential points with staff chemistry.

Accidents

One of the crucial vital elements working in opposition to the Boston Bruins is accidents. This season, they’ve already confronted accidents to key gamers like Charlie McAvoy, Brad Marchand, and Tuukka Rask. These accidents can have a major impression on the staff’s efficiency, particularly in the case of necessary video games like playoff matches.

Lack of Depth

One other issue which will hinder the Boston Bruins’ probabilities of profitable the Stanley Cup is a scarcity of depth in sure positions. For instance, whereas they’ve a robust first line, their secondary traces will not be as sturdy, which may result in fatigue or overuse of key gamers. Moreover, the Bruins have restricted choices for backup goalies, which generally is a vital situation if Tuukka Rask is out for an prolonged interval.

Potential Staff Chemistry Points

Lastly, there are potential points with staff chemistry that might impression the Bruins’ efficiency. This season, there have been rumors of disagreements among the many staff, which might create a adverse ambiance and have an effect on participant morale. This might impression the staff’s capacity to work collectively successfully on the ice, resulting in missed alternatives and losses.

Total, whereas the Boston Bruins have a robust staff with a profitable historical past, there are nonetheless elements working in opposition to them that might hinder their probabilities of profitable a seventh Stanley Cup.

Potential Challengers to the Boston Bruins

Whereas the Boston Bruins are a robust staff, there are a number of potential challengers who may cease their cost for a seventh Stanley Cup. These challengers come within the type of different NHL groups who’re additionally vying for the coveted trophy.

Tampa Bay Lightning

One of many greatest challengers to the Boston Bruins is the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning are the reigning Stanley Cup champions and have a robust staff with key gamers like Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman. Additionally they have a strong defensive core and a dependable goaltender in Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one other staff that might pose a problem to the Boston Bruins. Led by Auston Matthews, the Maple Leafs have a robust offensive presence and are one of many highest-scoring groups within the league. Whereas they’ve struggled within the playoffs lately, they nonetheless have the potential to trigger an upset.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are a staff with a wealth of playoff expertise and have gained the Stanley Cup earlier than. Led by Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals have a robust offensive presence and a strong defensive core. Additionally they have a dependable goaltender in Ilya Samsonov, who has been taking part in nicely this season.