The Boston Bruins continue to defy expectations for the 2025-26 season. They currently hold a playoff spot (final wild card) and have surged into that spot due to a strong month. There have been plenty of factors for this recent surge. This is exciting times for the Bruins overall, as they’ve defied expectations and have put themselves into prime position to make the playoffs. Although it hasn’t been easy.
The Bruins Are Soaring in January
The Bruins’ season has been a pure rollercoaster ride, and the amount of ups, downs, twists, and turns is through the roof. This is a team that lost six of seven at the beginning of the season, only to shift gears and win eight of nine games. In the middle of December, they lost six in a row and turned around to win six in a row. It’s been that type of ride, and Bruins fans have lined up for it.
The calendar flipped into January, and the Bruins turned on the jets. They were four games above .500 entering the month and have had the second-best record in the calendar month (10-2-1). They only trail the Atlantic Division leader, Tampa Bay Lightning (10-1-1).
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Their overall play has improved, as their Corsi for percentage (CF%) sits right at 50, but the biggest key is their finishing ability. At five on five, the Bruins have scored six goals above expected, despite being 20th in expected goals for. The biggest boost has been the stellar play of David Pastrnak.
Pastrnak Enjoying a Career Month
Pastrnak has been the Bruins’ most valuable player for the last three seasons. He is the type of player that you want the puck on his stick because when it is, good things are bound to happen. As a team, they’ve managed to have success due to impactful depth. However, Pastrnak is the go-to player, and when he’s going, there is no stopping him. The game-winning goal in overtime against the Nashville Predators encapsulated everything he’s done this month.
Pastrnak has been a pure machine and one of the best producers overall in the league. He currently sits second in the league in points in January with 25, and his 20 assists are second behind Nikita Kucherov. Furthermore, his 25 points are the most he’s had in a calendar month for his career. His previous high was 17 back in October, and he’s cleared that by eight points. Seeing your best player be your best player and elevate his play is special, and it goes beyond the points.
His speed is on full display, and the skill is through the roof. Against the Montreal Canadiens, cutting across the middle of the ice, he flipped the puck in the air and caught it to get the assist on Morgan Geekie’s goal. It’s plays like that that have made the difference, and he’s been a huge reason for the team’s success.
Pastrnak has had the best on-ice impacts during five-on-five play. He ranks second in CF% with 52.59, 11th in xGF% with 51.61, and the Bruins are outscoring opponents 17-6 when he is on the ice. Pastrnak hasn’t just been the team’s most important player, but also has been constantly leading by example and being a leader in the room.
Bruins Reaping Benefits From Pastrnak’s Play
Fraser Minten has been a bright spot, with 13 points in the last 14 games. The goaltending has been stellar, as they’ve had the second-best save percentage this calendar month. However, it all starts with number 88, and the Bruins are reaping the benefits due to his stellar play. He’s the engine that runs the Bruins, and the team follows suit behind him.
