Boston is a team that is under-the-radar and on the improve. Last year, the Bruins overcame a myriad of injuries to sneak into the playoffs late and extend the Canadiens to seven games in the first round. This year, the Bruins are ready to contend and …..

 

Bruin management did everything they could to sign top free agent Marian Hossa away form Pittsburg to address Beantown scoring woes. Hossa eventually went to the Wings but the Bruins were able to land Michael Ryder from the hated Habs at a reasonable price. Ryder lit the lamp just 14 times last year after back-to-back 30 goal seasons and Boston is counting on a change of scenery helping him regain form.

 

Strong goaltending carried Boston for much of the year as Tom Thomas turned in an Al-Star year subbing for the injured Manny Fernandez. Thomas notched 28 wins with a sweet 2.44 goals against. Fernandez went down after just four games with a knee injury but is back at 100% providing Boston with a formidable 1-2 combo between the pipes.

 

Another key returnee is Patrice Bergeron who missed the final 72 games of 2008 with a concussion. Bergeron showed tons of promise with 70+ points in his first two years. He’ll likely center the Bruins top line with Ryder and Marco Sturm.

 

Boston is particularly tough on the back line where they finished a creditable 11th in goals against.  Giant 6’9” Zdeno Chara is one of the league’s top defensemen and come off career highs of 17 goals, 51 points, and a plus-14 during his ice time.

 

The Bruins have solid young talent that’s a year better after last year’s late season playoff run. If Fernandez and Bergeron are fully recovered and Ryder returns to his ’06-’07 Montreal form, the Bruins should not have much trouble duplicating last year’s 94 points making the play here on the over.