When the Boston Bruins fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on March 24, it seemed like the start of a potential slide that could jeopardize their Stanley Cup Playoffs hopes. Facing a challenging schedule against the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Dallas Stars, the Bruins were set for a mix of road and home games-a peculiar setup for this time of year. Yet, what unfolded was nothing short of remarkable.
The Bruins pulled off an impressive four-game winning streak, securing victories over the Wild and Stars in regulation, edging out the Sabres in overtime, and clinching a shootout win against the Blue Jackets. This turnaround was unexpected, especially after the tough loss to the Leafs.
In the latest NHL power rankings by Austin Nivision of CBS Sports, the Bruins have emerged as the biggest climbers, jumping four spots to land at No. 8.
A key contributor to this surge has been Pavel Zacha. The veteran center is having a standout season, setting a new career high with 28 goals and matching his career best with 59 points.
Despite some underwhelming metrics, Zacha and the Bruins have consistently outperformed expectations throughout 74 games. Why stop now?
Looking at the teams ranked ahead of them, the Bruins have either split the season series or come out on top against six of the seven. The Tampa Bay Lightning is the only team they haven’t beaten yet, with two matchups remaining in their final seven games. Fans might recall their dramatic Stadium Series game in February, where the Bruins held a 5-1 lead over the Lightning, only to fall 6-5 in a shootout.
While the teams ahead of the Bruins may boast more talent on paper, Boston’s system under Marco Sturm makes them a formidable playoff opponent. With five of their final seven games on the road, maintaining their recent away success is crucial for securing a playoff spot. Should they continue this momentum, the Bruins could become a formidable challenge for any opponent in the postseason.