Can the Boston Bruins retain their stature at the summit of the NHL’s Atlantic Division in 2014-15? Sure.
Will they accomplish that hypothetical feat with the same apparent facility that they did in the first post-realignment campaign? Not with the way a couple of Atlantic cohabitants have eclipsed the cap-constrained Bruins on this summer’s trade and free-agent markets.
Results-wise, western New York and all of Florida bore the most favorable intra-divisional matchups for the 2013-14 Bruins.
With 5-0-0, 4-0-0 and 3-1-1 records against the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres, respectively, Boston had a better time with those clubs than with the other half of the eight-team sector. It went an aggregate 6-8-2 against everyone else, only detaching the majority of the wishbone against Toronto (2-1-1).
Expect at least two of those teams to upgrade their on-ice fortunes this fall. Expect them to reflect that turnaround by establishing more head-to-head balance with the Bruins.
The Atlantic’s regular-season champion failed to duplicate that title in the postseason wit ...
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Article written by Al Daniel
Boston Bruins Will Face Tougher Competition From Atlantic Division In 2014-15
July 13th, 2014 by Al Daniel Leave a reply »
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