Boston Bruins (1924-Present)

Historical Moments:
1924/25: On November 1st the Boston Bruins made their debut as the first American team in the NHL defeating the Montreal Maroons at home 2-1. However, success would not be common for the first year Bruins as they lost their next 11 games on the way to finishing in last place with a 6-24 record.

1925/26: In their 2nd season the Bruins get off to a terrible start going winless in their first 15 games. However, the team would gel down the stretch and would win 17 of their final 21 games to finish with a 17-5-4 record, food enough for 4th place.

1926/27: Defenseman Eddie Shore asserts himself as an instant force in his first season with the Bruins. Led by Shore the Bruins would make the playoff for the first time by finishing 2nd in the American Division with a 21-20-3 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would play some of their best hockey of the season advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals by beating the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers in total goal series. However, in the Finals the Bruins would go through a scoring drought as they fall to the Ottawa Senators in a 4 game series in which the Bruins could only muster 2 ties.

1927/28: Led by Goalie Hal Winkler who posts 15 shutouts in 44 games the Bruins win their first division title with a solid 20-13-11 record. However, in the semifinals the Bruins would be stunned by the New York Rangers in a 2-game total goal series 5-2 allowing 4 goals on home ice in Game 2.

1928/29: On November 20th the Bruins open the Boston Garden by losing to the Montreal Canadiens 1-0. However, it was just a minor setback as the Bruins won their division for the 2nd straight season with a 26-13-5 record. In the semifinals the Bruins would get revenge for opening night by sweeping the Canadiens in 3 straight, led by 2 shutouts from goalie tiny Thompson. In the first All-American Stanley Cup Finals the Bruins claim their first championship by beating the New York Rangers in 2 straight.

1929/30: Coming off their first Stanley Cup Championship the Bruins dominate the NHL finishing with a league-best 38-5-1 record. Along the way enjoying a 14-game winning streak as Cooney Weiland leads the league in scoring. In the playoffs the Bruins continued to roll as they knocked off the Montreal Maroons 3 games to 1. However, in the finals they would lose 2 straight for the first time all season falling to the Montreal Canadiens.

1930/31: The Bruins continue their dominance of the American Division finishing in 1st place for the 4th straight year with a 28-10-6 record. However in the playoffs the Bruins would lose in heartbreaking fashion losing to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime of Game 5.

1931/32: In a year of disappointments for the Bruins, Dutch Gainor, is traded away for a player, Joe Jerwa, who doesn't play a game all season in a Bruins uniform, as the Bruins finish in last place with a disappointing 15-21-12 record.

1932/33: The Bruins rebound behind Vezina winning goalie Tiny Thompson and Hart Trophy winner Eddie Shore to reclaim the American Division Championship with a 25-15-8 record. However in the playoffs the Bruins would fall in a 5th game overtime again losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a series that included 4 overtime games including the longest game in NHL history at 104 minutes.

1933/34: In a season he would like to forget Eddie Shore sits out the first game holding out for a $7,500 contract. However things would get worse when he returned as he is suspended 16-games after a vicious hit land on Ace Bailey ends the Toronto Maple Leafs star's career. Without Shore the Burins would fall into last place with an 18-25-5 record.

1934/35: Eddie Shore returns and wins the Hart Trophy as the Bruins rebound to recapture the American Division with a 26-16-6 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would fall to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 4 games.

1935/36: Tiny Thompson remain the rock of Gibraltar in net as he starts all 50 games while recording the first 2 assist ever by a goalie, during a 22-20-6 season in which the Bruins finish in 2nd place. However, the Bruins playoff failure would continue as they usually reliable Thompson is rocked by 8 goals in Game 2 of a total Goal series against The Toronto Maple Leafs.

1936/37: Despite the loss of Eddie Shore for the season the Bruins make the playoffs by finishing in 2nd place with a 23-18-7 record. However, once again the Bruins would be tripped up right away falling to the Montreal Maroons in a 3-game series.

1937/38: With Tiny Thompson winning the Vezina and Eddie Shore winning the Hart Trophy the Bruins dominate the NHL all season finishing with a league best 30-11-7 record. However, in the playoffs the Burins would be knocked off quickly as they are swept by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 3 straight.

1938/39: In a shocking move Tiny Thompson is sold to the Detroit Red Wings early in the season as Frankie Brimsek takes over in net. Brimsek as a spectacular rookie season wining both the Calder Trophy and Vezina as the Bruins finish at top the 7-team league with a 31-12-5 record. In the semifinals the Bruins rely on Mel Hill who scores 3 overtime goals including one in Game 7 to knock off the New York Rangers. In the finals things would go much easier as the Bruins won their 2nd Stanley Cup by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 games.

1939/40: Despite the trade of Eddie Shore the Bruins finish with regular season title again with a 31-12-5 record, as Milt Schmidt, Woody Dumart, and Bob Bauer finish 1-2-3- in the league in scoring. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be knocked off by the New York Rangers in 6 games.

1940/41: The Bruins dominate the NHL again losing just 1 game between January and March to finish with a 27-8-13 record, as Bill Cowley lead the league in scoring while winning the Hart Trophy. In the semifinals the Bruins would rally from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 games. In the finals the Bruins would find thing much easier as they swept the Detroit Red Wings in 4 straight to win their 2nd Cup in 3 years.

1941/42: World War II begins, and the Bruins lose numerous key players to the war, including the famous Kraut Line of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart. Without their top offensive line the Bruins fall to 3rd place with a 25-17-6 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would squeeze by the Chicago Blackhawks in 3 games, before being swept by the Detroit Red Wings in 2 straight in the semifinals.

1942/43: Depleted by World War II the Bruins sign 16-year-old Bep Guidolin, who joins the team as the youngest player in the history of the NHL. With the "Sprout Line" of Bill Shill, Don Gallinger and Guidolin leading the way the Bruins finish in 2nd place with a 24-17-9 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would advance to the finals by knocking off the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games. However in the finals they would be swept aside by the Detroit Red Wings in 4 straight.

1943/44: Herb Cain wracks up 82 points to break the record formerly held by Cooney Weiland. However Goalie Frank Brimsek is lost to the Coast Guard for the duration of the war, and Bert Gardiner struggles in net with a 5.17 GAA, as the Bruins miss the playoffs by finishing in 5th place with a 19-26-5 record.

1944/45: Still ravaged by war the Bruins struggle again to finish with an awful 16-30-4 record. However by finishing 4th they still manage to qualify for the playoffs. In the playoffs the Bruins would show some unexpected spark as they jumped out to a 3-1 series lead over the Detroit Red Wings. However the Wings would rally to win the next 3 eliminating the Bruins in 7 games.

1945/46: Frank Brimsek and the Kraut Line of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart, return from the war, as the Bruins finish in 2nd place with a 24-18-8 record. In the playoffs the now fully armed Bruins would knock off the Detroit Red wings in 5 games. However, in the Finals the Bruins would fall in 5 games themselves to the Montreal Canadiens.

1946/47: The Kraut Line once again led the team in scoring, as the Bruins finish in 3rd place with a record of 26-23-11. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be knocked out by the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games.

1947/48: Age begins to catch up with Bruins as Bobby Bauer retires, and the Bruins post a losing record at 23-24-13 finishing in 3rd place. In the playoffs it would be a quick exit as the Bruins are buried by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 games.

1948/49: In celebration of the team's 25th anniversary the Bruins debut new uniforms featuring the now familiar Spoked B. With another solid season from Frank Brimsek who fought through the tragic death of his young son, the Bruins finish in 2nd place with a 29-23-8 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be upended quickly by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 games.

1949/50: Jack Gelineau takes over between the pipes for all but three games of the regular season and earns the Calder Trophy. However, the Bruins lose 10 of their final 13 games and finishing in 5th place with a 22-32-16 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in 6 years.

1950/51: Milt Schmidt leads the team in scoring with 61 points and brings home the Hart Trophy as the league MVP, as the Bruins sneak into the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a 22-30-18 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be knocked out by the Toronto Maple Leafs 4 games to 1 in a series that also included a 1-1 tie.

1951/52: Both Woody Dumart and Milt Schmidt score the 200th goals of their careers. The third member of the Kraut line, Bobby Bauer, comes out of retirement for the March 18th game to help Schmidt achieve his 200th goal. The Bruins would go on to finish in 4th place with a 25-29-16 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would give the Montreal Canadiens all they could handle before falling in 7 games.

1952/53: With Sugar Jim Henry posting a solid 2.46 GAA the Bruins finish in 3rd place with a 28-29-13 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would play some of their best hockey all season as they stunned the Detroit Red Wings in 6 games. However, in the finals the Bruins would be rolled over by the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games.

1953/54: The Bruins lead the league in penalty minutes with 685, as they finish in 4th place with a 23-28-10 record. However in the playoffs the Bruins who were playing without Bill Quackenbush and Real Chevrefils are swept by the Montreal Canadiens.

1954/55: The remaining 2 members of the famous Kraut Line, Woody Dumart and Milt Schmidt, hang up their skates, as the Bruins finish in 4th place and make the playoffs despite a losing record at 23-26-21. In the playoffs the Bruins would be bounced by the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games.

1955/56: The Bruins struggle to score all season, as they score a league low 147 goals while being shutout 11 times and missing the playoffs by finishing in 5th place with a 23-34-13 record.

1956/57: Despite losing goalie Terry Sawchuck to mono, and the retirement of Hal Laycoe and Bill Quackenbush the Bruins make the playoffs by finishing in 3rd place with a solid 34-24-12 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would make the finals by stunning the Detroit Red Wings in 5 games. However, in the finals the Bruins would score just 6 goals as they are dominated by the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games.

1957/58: The Bruins make history on January 18th when Willie O'Ree the first black man in the NHL, plays his first game. O'Ree would only play 2 games that season and 45 games in his career, but his contribution would be remembered for season to come. The integrated Bruins would make the playoffs by finishing in 4th place with a 27-25-15 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would reach the finals by knocking off the New York Rangers in 6 games, in the final 2 games the Bruins offense exploded for 14 goals. However, they would hit a brick wall in the finals, as they are beat by the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1958/59: Five Bruins record hat tricks as the team finishes in 2nd place with a respectful 32-29-9 record. However in the playoffs the Bruins would fall in the first round in a hard fought 7-game series to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1959/60: Bronco Horvath enjoys a 22-game point scoring streak, finishing 2nd in the NHL in scoring. However, the Bruins struggle down the stretch and miss the playoff by 3 points with a 28-34-8 record.

1960/61: The Bruins struggle all season winning just 2 games on the road during the season while allowing the most goals in the league at 254, and finishing in last place with an awful 15-42-13 record.

1961/62: The Bruins stumble out of the gate losing the first 8. In addition the Bruins would also suffer a 20-game winless streak as they missed the playoffs by finishing in last place with a 15-47-8 record. With an eye on the future the Bruins sign 14-year old Bobby Orr to a developmental deal.

1962/63: The Bruins struggle continue as they finish in last place for the 3rd year in row with a pathetic 14-39-17 record, while a league high allowing 287 goals.

1963/64: The Bruins continue to reside in the NHL basement failing to win 29 games again with an 18-40-12 record.

1964/65: The Bruins start the season in the hole again with going winless through their first 9, as they finished in last for the 4th straight season with a 21-43-6 record.

1965/66: The Bruins would manage to escape the basement as the finished with a 21-43-6 record for the 2nd year in a row, but miss the playoffs for the 8th straight season.

1966/67: Defenseman Bobby Orr makes his debut as he finishes 3rd in scoring for the Bruins with 41 points and earns the Calder Trophy. However the Bruins would fall back into last place with a 17-43-10 record.

1967/68: In the first season of expansion the Bruins make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years by finishing in 3rd place in the Eastern Division with a 37-27-10 record, as Bobby Orr wins his first Norris Trophy. However, in the playoffs the inexperienced Bruins would be swept in 4 straight by the Montreal Canadiens.

1968/69: With Phil Esposito winning the Hart Trophy while leading the league in scoring and Bobby Orr taking his 2nd straight Norris Trophy the Bruins post 100 points for the first time in franchise history as they finish in 2nd place with a solid 42-18-16 record. In the first round the Bruins would sweep away the Toronto Maple Leafs in 4 straight. However in the semifinals the Bruins would fall to the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1969/70: Bobby Orr has one of the most dominant seasons in NHL history as he wins the league scoring title with 87 assists, and Hart Trophy while winning his 3rd straight Norris Trophy, as the Bruins finish in 2nd Place with a 40-17-19 record. In the first round the Bruins would struggle with the New York Rangers as they split the first 4 games. However the Bruins would straighten out and win the next 2. In the semifinals the Bruins would easily oust the Chicago Blackhawks scoring 20 goals in a 4-game sweep. In the finals the Bruins would dominate the St. Louis Blues winning the first 3 games by a combined score of 16-4. With their first cup in 29 years in reach the Bruins were taken to overtime. However, the game would be decided quickly as Bobby Orr, who would win the Conn Smythe trophy scored the game winner by flying through the air 40 seconds into overtime.

1970/71: The Bruins set 37 individual and team NHL records, as they finish in first place for the first time in 30 years with a 57-14-7 record, as Bobby Orr wins his 3rd straight Norris, and his 2nd straight Hart Trophy. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be knocked off by their nemesis the Montreal Canadiens in 7 games.

1971/72: The Bruins dominance continues as Bobby Orr wins the Norris and Hart again while finishing in 1st place with a 54-13-11 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would knock off the Toronto Maple Leafs in 5 games, before sweeping the St. Louis Blues in 4 straight to reach the Finals. In the Finals it was all Bruins again as they won their 2nd Stanley Cup in 3 years by beating the New York Rangers in 6 games, as Bobby Orr, once again round out his hardware collection by claiming the Conn Smythe Award.

1972/73: Bobby Orr wins his 4th straight Norris Trophy as the Bruins finish in 2nd place with a solid 51-22-5 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be upended by the New York Rangers in 5 games.

1973/74: Phil Esposito compiles 145 points to win the scoring title for the 4th consecutive year, as he takes home his 2nd career Hart Trophy, while Bobby Orr wins his 5th straight Norris Trophy, as the Bruins finish in first place with a league best 52-17-9 record. In the first round the Bruins would quickly sweep away the Toronto Maple Leafs in 4 straight before ousting the Chicago Blackhawks in 6 games. However, in the finals the Bruins would be stunned by the Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games.

1974/75: Bobby Orr wins the scoring title with 135 points while wining his 8th consecutive Norris Trophy for his defensive work, as the Bruins finish in 2nd place in the 40-26-14 record. However, in the expanded playoffs the Bruins would be knocked off by the Chicago Blackhawks in the preliminary round in a 3-game series.

1975/76: Bobby Orr undergoes 2 knee operations and is limited to just 10 games, including his last in a Bruins uniform. The injury forced the Bruins into trading for defensive help, and that meant trading Phil Esposito the New York Rangers for Brad Park and Jean Rattelle. The trade helped the Bruins immensely as they lose just 10 games after the November deal while winning the Adams Division with 48-15-17 record. After a 1st Round Bye the Bruins would be pushed to the limit by the Los Angeles Kings before winning the series in Game 7. However, in the Semis the Bruins would be knocked out by the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games.

1976/77: With Jean Ratelle leading the team in scoring the Bruins win the Adams Division with a 49-23-8 record. In the playoffs after a 1st round bye the Bruins would beat the Los Angeles Kings in a high scoring 6-game series. In the semifinals the Bruins would sweep the Philadelphia Flyers in 4 straight winning 2 key road games in overtime. However, in the Finals the Bruins would be swept by the Montreal Canadiens that set records for wins and points during the season.

1977/78: Terry O'Reilly becomes the first player in NHL history to finish with 200 or more penalty minutes and finish in the top ten in scoring, as he leads the Bruins with 90 points, as the Bruins win the Adams Division with a 51-18-11 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would make the Finals for the 2nd year in a row by sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks and beating the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games. However, in the Finals the Bruins would be beaten by the Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

1978/79: The Bruins are not shut out the entire season, as they win the Adams Division again with a 43-23-14 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would make the semifinals by sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins in 4 straight. However, facing the Montreal Canadiens in the semis the Bruins would fall in 7 games losing the decisive 7th game in overtime, after the Habs tied the game on power play following a too many men on the ice penalty.

1979/80: The Bruins draft Ray Bourque, who sets the NHL record for most points by a rookie defenseman with 65, winning the Calder Trophy. After finishing in 2nd place in the Adams Division with a 46-21-13 record, the Bruins survive a 5-game series with Pittsburgh Penguins by scoring 14 goals in the final 2 games. However, in the 2nd round the Bruins would by knocked off by the New York Islanders in 5 games.

1980/81: Olympic hero Jim Craig is acquired from the Calgary Flames and impresses at first with a 7-game unbeaten streak. However, the rest of the way he would be plagued by inconstancy as the Bruins finish in 2nd place with a 37-30-13 record. However, in the playoffs Craig would play awful hockey as the Bruins are outscored 20-13 in a 3-game sweep.

1981/82: Led by Rick Middleton who scores 51 goals the Bruins finish in 2nd place again with a solid 43-27-10 record. However in the Adams Division 1st Round the Bruins are beaten by the Buffalo Sabres in 4 games.

1982/83: The Bruins acquire goaltender Pete Peters, who wins the Vezina Trophy while posting a 9-game winning streak and a 31-game undefeated streak with 26 wins, as the Bruins finish with a league best 50-20-10 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would oust the Quebec Nordiques in a 4 games. However in the Adams Division Finals the Bruins would be pushed to the limit by the Buffalo Sabres before winning Game 7 in overtime. However, in the Wales Conference Finals the Bruins would be sent away by the New York Islanders in 6 games.

1983/84: Ray Bourque becomes only the 6th defenseman in history to score 30 goals, as the Bruins win the Adams Division with a 49-25-6 record. However, in the playoffs he would be shut down as the Bruins score just 2 goals while being swept by the Montreal Canadiens in 3 straight.

1984/85: The Bruins score more than 300 goals for the 15th consecutive season, but fall to 4th place with a 36-34-10 record. IN the playoffs the Bruins would be bounced by their nemesis the Montreal Canadiens again losing a 1-0 heartbreaker in Game 5.

1985/86: Injuries lead to assistant coach Mike Millbury returning to the ice for 22 games as the Bruins finish in 3rd place with a 37-31-12 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be swept in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens in 3 straight.

1986/87: Ray Bourque wins the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman and scores his 600th career point, as the Bruins overcome early struggles and a coaching change to make the playoffs for the 20th season in a row with a 39-34-7 record. However, once again the Bruins would be swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the firs round this time in 4 games under the new format.

1987/88: In a classy move on December 3rd, Ray Bourque changes his number from 7 to 77, so that 7 could be raised to the rafters for Phil Esposito. The Bruins would go on to finish in 2nd place with a 44-30-6 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would get past the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games in the first round to set up another meeting with Montreal Canadiens in the Adams Division Finals. The Bruins would finally get the albatross off their neck in the Division Finals as they beat the Montreal Canadiens, for the first time in 45 years, in 5 games, winning 4 straight after being blown out 5-2 in Game 1. In the Wales Finals the Bruins would hold off the pesky New Jersey Devils in 7 games. However in the Stanley Cup Finals the Bruins would be dominated by hey are doubled up by the Edmonton Oilers in the first 3 games. In Game 4 trying to stave off elimination the Bruins and Oilers are tied at 3 when an already foggy Boston Garden experience a power failure that ends the game. Two days later the Bruins would be doubled again losing 6-3 in Edmonton.

1988/89: When leading going into the third period, the Bruins are 29-1-0 on the season, as they finish in 2nd place with a 37-29-14 record. In the first round the Bruins would have no trouble beating the Buffalo Sabres in 5 games. However, in the Adams Final the Bruins would fall to the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games.

1989/90: The Bruins allow the fewest goals in the league, and Ray Bourque wins the Norris Trophy as the Bruins win the Presidents Trophy with a 46-25-9 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would barely survive a 7 game challenge form the Hartford Whalers in the first round. In the Adams Finals the Bruins would actually find things easier as they knocked off the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games. The Bruins would find things even easier in the Wales Final as they sweep the Washington Capitals in 4 straight. However, in the Stanley Cup Finals the Bruins would drop Game 1 in a 3rd overtime to the Edmonton Oilers and never recover losing the series in 5 games.

1990/91: It is another successful season for the Bruins as they win their Division again with a solid record of 44-24-12, as Ray Bourque wins the Norris Trophy again. In the playoffs the Bruins would sink the Hartford Whalers in 6 games before surviving a 7-game war with the Montreal Canadiens to reach the Wales Conference Finals. However, the Bruins quest to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals in ended by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games. Making the loss more painful is that Cam Neely suffers serve injury on a cheap shot from Penguins enforcer Ulf Samuelson.

1991/92: Coming off his playoff injury Cam Neely plays just 9 games as the Bruins are forced to acquire Adam Oates in the search for more offense. The deal would work out as the Bruins finished in 2nd place wit6h a 36-32-12 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would nearly blow a 3-1 series beating the Buffalo Sabres in 7 games. In the Division Finals the Bruins would find things easier sweeping the Montreal Canadiens in 4 straight. However, in the Wales Finals they would be swept themselves by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1992/93: Injuries limit Cam Neely to 13 games, but the Bruins win the Adams Division by winning their last 8 games to finish with a 51-26-7 record. However, in the first round the Bruins would be tripped up by the Buffalo Sabres as they are swept in 4 straight losing 3 games in overtime.

1993/94: Cam Neely is limited to 49 games but scores 50 goals in his first 44 games, as the Bruins finish in 2nd Place in the newly aligned Northeast Division. In the first round the Bruins would rally back after a deviating loss in Game 5 to beat the Montreal Canadiens in 7 games. The Bruins would stay hot in the 2nd round as they beat the Devils twice on the road in New Jersey. However, the Devils would return the favor in Boston, and would go on to win the series in 6 games.

1994/95: After a 3-month lockout the season is reduced to 48 games as the Bruins finish in 3rd place with a 27-18-3 record, in the final year of hockey at the historic Boston Garden. However, the playoffs the Bruins would be knocked out quickly as they are beaten by the New Jersey Devils in 5 games, being shutout 3 times along the way.

1995/96: The Bruins open the season in their new home, the Fleet Center, with a 4-4 tie against the New York Islanders in which Cam Neely scores a hat trick. Neely would lead the team in goals with 26 as the Bruins finished in 2nd place with a 40-31-11 record. However, the Bruins would be stunned in the playoffs by the 3-year old Florida Panthers in 5 games. Following the season Neely who had been plagued with injures since the 1991 playoffs retires.

1996/97: The Bruins struggle all year to find someone to play goal trying 6 different goalies out as they finish in last place with a 26-47-9 record, missing the playoffs for the first tine in 30 years.

1997/98: In an off-season trade, the Bruins acquire forward Dmitri Khristich and goaltender Byron Dafoe from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Sandy Moger, Jozef Stumpel and a 1998 draft pick. Dafoe solves the Bruins problems in goaltending as the Bruins rebound to finish in 2nd place with a 39-30-13 record. However, in the playoffs it would be a quick exit as they are tripped up by the Washington Capitals in 6 games.

1998/99: Byron Dafoe enjoys one of the best seasons ever by a Bruins goaltender, becoming just the 4th goaltender in team history to record 10 shutouts in a season, as the Bruins finish in 3rd place with a respectable 39-30-13 record. In the playoffs the Bruins would knock off the Carolina Hurricanes in 6 games, before falling to the Buffalo Sabres in 6 games themselves.

1999/00: It's the end of an era for the Bruins a they fall out of playoff contention, and deal Ray Bourque who for more then 20 years was the foundation of the team on defense to the Colorado Avalanche to give him a chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Bruins would go on to finish in last place with a 24-39-19-6 record.

2000/01: The Bruins get off to a slow start as Coach Pat Burns is replaced by Mike Keenan. As the season wore on the Bruins played better powered by the GAS line of Bill Guerin, Jason Allison, and Sergei Samsonov. However, despite finishing with a respectable 36-30-8-8 record, the Bruins would miss the playoffs while finishing in 4th place the Northeast Division. Following the season Keenan would be fired and replaced by Robbie Ftorek. In a side note Ray Bourque in his final season with the Colorado Avalanche would win the Stanley Cup.

2001/02: Jason Allison is traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a pair of former Bruins, Jozef Stumpel, who leads the team with 50 assists and Glen Murray, who goes on to lead the team in scoring with 71 points and ties Bill Guerin for the team lead in goals with 41. Stumpel's 50 assists are also a team high. Meanwhile Joe Thornton enjoys his finest season in the NHL with 68 points, despite missing nearly a month with a shoulder injury down the stretch. With the young up coming stars the Bruins would win the Northeast Division with a solid 43-24-6-9 record. However, in the playoffs the Bruins would be stunned by the 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens in 6 games.

2002/03: After their disappointing playoff collapse the Bruins got off to a good start posting a 19-4-3-1 record through the first 2 months. However the void left in goal by the departure of Byron Dafoe would catch up to the Bruins who lost 14 of their next 18 games. The rest of the way the Bruins would play mediocre hockey as Coach Robbie Ftorek was fired and replaced by GM Mike O'Connell in March. Under O'Connell the Bruins would still make the playoffs with a record of 36-31-11-4. However in the playoffs the Bruins would be no match for the eventual Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils who easily took the first 3 games before eliminating the Bruins in 5 games.

2003/04: The Bruins got off to a strong start as Goalie Andrew Raycroft in his first full season in the NHL was unbeatable in the early going. Also providing a spark was 18-year old Patrice Bergeron the Bruins second round pick in the draft who led all rookies in scoring with 16 goals and 23 assists. With the new found youthfully core the Bruins would go on to win the Northeast Division with a solid record of 41-19-15-7, as Raycroft who finished the season with 29 wins and a 2.05 GAA edged Bergeron for the Calder Trophy. In the playoffs the Bruins got off to a flying start dominating the Montreal Canadiens on the way to grabbing a 3-1 series lead. However with a chance to close the series out at home in Game 5 the Bruins came up flat losing 5-1. The Bruins would also play poorly in Game 6 as the Habs battled back to force a seventh game. In Game 7 at the Fleet Center the Bruins dominated the ice for the first 2 periods. However they could get nothing past Goalie Jose Theodore. Eventually the Habs would break the scoreless tie in the 3rd period on the way to a 2-0 win, as the Bruins were eliminated in 7 games.

2004/05: Season Cancelled Due to Lock Out

2005/06: Coming out of the Lock Out the Bruins had high hopes as they were the defending Northeast Division Champions and were not hit hard by the new salary cap in fact they were able to add the veteran presence of Alexei Zhamnov and Brian Leetch. However, both would miss significant time due to injury as the Bruins got off to a sluggish start as they posted a mediocre 7-5-4 record through their first 16 games. However, things would go bad to worse as they lost 10 of 11 in November, leading Bruins GM Mike O'Connell to conclude a shake up was needed so he traded Captain Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau. The Bruins would win their first two games after the deal but it was obvious the deal was tremendous mistake as the Bruins never recovered and went on to spend the rest of the season in Last Place. Along the way Goalie Andrew Raycroft who won the Calder Trophy in 2004 was benched in favor of Tim Thomas, as fans openly called for the firing of O'Connell after the unpopular Thornton deal. As the lost season wound down O'Connell would indeed be fired as the Bruins finished with a terrible 29-37-16 record, while Thornton won the league scoring title and won the Hart Trophy for turning around the Sharks. Following the season the Bruins would change coaches as well as Mike Sullivan was replaced by Dave Lewis.

2006/07: The smoke was still settling after the Joe Thornton trade as the Bruins started the season with a new General Manager, and a new coach, with all signs pointing to a season of rebuilding. However, after getting off to a sluggish 4-7-1 start the Bruins would win 10 of their next 13 games as they got strong play from Rookie Phil Kessel. However, on December 11th the Rookie Center was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. Fortunately it was caught early, and after having surgery doctors declared him to be cancer free, as he would miss just 11 games. Kessel would go on to win the Masterton Trophy for dedication to hockey as he scored 11 goals and 18 assists. However, things would not go as smoothly for the rest of the team, as a bad January dropped them below .500. as the playoffs were never in sight. Playing out the string the Bruins looked at times disinterested as they won just 3 of their last 17 games, finishing in last place again with a record of 35-41-6. Due in part to their poor finish the Bruins would change coaches again replacing Dave Lewis with Claude Julien following the season.

2007/08: After two last place seasons, not much was expected out of the Bruins at the beginning of the season. However, in the early going they played well, winning five of their first seven games, on the way to an 18-11-3 record through mid-December. However, as six game losing streak would be a major setback heading into the New Year. The Bruins would rebound, with a solid 8-3-1 record in January thanks to the strong goaltending of Tim Thomas. This type of up and down play would become the hallmark of the Bruins in the second half as a five game winning streak would be balanced with a 2-5-4 stretch. Despite the inconsistency the Bruins would slip into the playoffs as the eight seed, with a record of 41-29-12. In the playoffs the Bruins would face an old familiar foe in the Montreal Canadiens. They were not given much of a chance to win the series, as they dropped the first two games on the road. As the series shifted to Boston, the Bruins managed to win Game 3 in overtime 2-1, as Marc Savard came off the bench on a delayed penalty to score with 9:25 gone in overtime. However, the Bruins still found themselves in a deep hole as they were shutout 1-0 in Game 4. Facing elimination the Bruins would score four times in the third period to keep their hopes alive with a 5-1 win in Game 5. The Bruins would score four the third again to send the series to a seventh game in a 5-4 in Game 6. However, the Bruins would be blanked in Game 7, as the Canadiens won to finale 5-0.