The Boston Bruins are poised for a playoff comeback after a one-year hiatus, thanks to a solid 4-2 victory on Saturday that nudged them two points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. This win gives the Bruins a bit of breathing room in the race for a playoff berth.
With the latest stats from MoneyPuck, Boston boasts a promising 74.9% chance of clinching a spot in the 2026 NHL playoffs. That's a three-in-four shot, which is pretty encouraging. However, it's not a done deal yet, as several teams are still in the hunt.
The Bruins are faring better than the Red Wings, who have a 58.8% chance-just a smidge above even odds.
The upcoming games are critical for Boston. They face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, and the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Securing wins in these matchups could significantly bolster their playoff position.
Bruins Eyeing a Top-3 Spot in the Atlantic Division
Currently, the Bruins and Montreal Canadiens are neck-and-neck with 86 points. The Canadiens hold the third spot in the Atlantic Division, pushing the Bruins into the first wild card position.
But there's room for movement. The Bruins could leapfrog the Canadiens and snag the third seed in the Atlantic, potentially setting up a first-round face-off with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This scenario is intriguing, especially since the Canadiens are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 outings. The Bruins have a real shot at moving out of the wild card slot.
Securing the first wild card spot would mean a first-round battle with the Eastern Conference's second seed, currently the Sabres, but the Carolina Hurricanes are also in the mix.
No matter how you slice it, the Bruins' path in the first round won't be a cakewalk. Yet, returning to the postseason marks significant progress this year.
MoneyPuck gives them a 32.8% chance of advancing to the second round-similar to the likes of the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. While not as high as the Colorado Avalanche or Dallas Stars, these odds are still quite favorable.
As the final games unfold, fans will get a clearer picture of how the Bruins might fare in the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.