The Bruins’ first 18 games have done more than pad the standings. They’ve put some hard numbers behind why Boston has looked so sharp to open the 2026-27 season.
After Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers, Boston is 13-4-1 and riding a four-game winning streak. That gives the Bruins 27 points out of a possible 36, good for first place in the Atlantic Division and right there with the NHL’s top teams.
What jumps out most is how complete this start has been. Boston has scored 67 goals and allowed only 41 through 18 games, a plus-26 goal differential that works out to about 3.72 goals for and 2.28 against per game. That’s the kind of balance that usually shows up when a team is controlling games at both ends.
The Bruins have been able to score, and they’ve also been able to keep opponents from getting comfortable. That combination has made them tough to solve on most nights, especially when both parts of their game are clicking together.
They’ve also shown a knack for bouncing back. Boston opened 7-2-1 through its first 10 games and put together a five-game winning streak in October.
Then came back-to-back losses to Carolina and St. Louis, but the response has been strong.
Since October 31, the Bruins have won four straight, taking down Chicago, Vegas, Pittsburgh and Florida.
Sunday’s win stood out because Jeremy Swayman had to work for it. He stopped 40 shots, and Boston still managed to keep the game under control despite plenty of pressure from the Panthers.
The production hasn’t been coming from just one player carrying the load, either. Boston has gotten contributions across the lineup, and it has already shown it can win in different styles - whether that means a higher-scoring game, a tight defensive fight or an overtime finish.
The next test comes Thursday against Montreal, another chance for Boston to keep building on this start and hold its place atop the division.
Eighteen games won’t define a season, but the Bruins have already put together a start that looks real. The scoring, the defense and the ability to answer setbacks have all been there.
In Other News...
Patrice Bergerons Hall Of Fame Nod Says Everything About His Bruins Legacy
Patrice Bergerons place in the Hockey Hall of Fame was never really in doubt, but the announcement of the Class of 2026 still lands with the kind of weight Bruins fans know well. The Hall named six inductees on Tuesday, including five former players and builder Brian Burke, with Bergeron joined by Carey Price, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk and Cindy Curley as the player selections. It is another reminder of how fully Bergerons career resonated across the sport, not just in Boston.
The ceremony in Toronto will celebrate careers and contributions that shaped hockey over a long stretch, and Bergerons inclusion feels especially fitting for a player whose reputation was built on consistency, responsibility and respect. For the Bruins, it is one more chance to see a familiar standard-bearer recognized on the games biggest stage, with his legacy now set to be honored alongside some of the eras most accomplished names. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Hot Start Puts Sweeneys Next Blue Line Decision Under Pressure
The Bruins strong start to the 2026-27 season has changed the tone around their roster almost immediately, with Boston sitting atop the Atlantic Division and the front office now under a little more pressure to decide how aggressive it wants to be. A team that looks this competitive this early tends to invite trade chatter, and in Bostons case that means the blue line is already getting plenty of attention as the market starts to take shape.
Rumors have tied the Bruins to players in Detroit, including Dylan Larkin, while other speculation has centered on adding help to the back end. Management, though, is said to favor younger defensemen with team control, which makes the next move more complicated than simply chasing the biggest name available. With the Bruins off to such a strong start, the question is not whether they will be active, but how far they are willing to go to keep this momentum intact. [Read more 🡒]
Dylan Larkin Trade Buzz Leaves Bruins Fans With One Big Doubt
Dylan Larkins trade chatter has started to swirl again, and for Bruins fans it comes with a familiar kind of frustration. Jim Biringer said on TSN Radio that Larkin reportedly prefers to be dealt only to the Minnesota Wild, a wrinkle that helps explain why teams such as Boston may not be part of the conversation right now. Detroit, meanwhile, is still waiting for Larkin to widen the list of places he would accept, keeping the whole situation in a holding pattern.
For the Bruins, the bigger issue is less about whether Larkin is available and more about whether there is any realistic path for Boston to get involved at all. The speculation around Detroit has not stopped with Larkin, either, with other names like Simon Edvinsson also floating around as the Red Wings weigh their options. For now, though, the market appears to be defined by one preferred destination and a lot of uncertainty everywhere else. [Read more 🡒]