“When I think about how great those teams were, and how we surpassed that total, it’s significant. Because those were dominant hockey teams,” Boston coach Jim Montgomery said.
“Dominant” might not do justice to the Bruins’ performance this season. They outpaced opponents in the standings with nary a losing streak. The won at home, on the road, in the East and in the West. Backed by the league’s best goaltending, they were clearly the NHL’s top defensive team. Led by 60-goal scorer David Pastrnak and unparalleled depth, they were almost the NHL’s top offensive team, as well.
These data visualizations illustrate how the Bruins steamrolled the NHL this season on their way to history.
Boston vs. everyone
It’s a distant memory now, but the Bruins were expected to struggle at the start of the season. Getting used to a new coach. Missing injured stars Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. But instead of stumbling out of the gate, the Bruins sprinted to a 20-3-0 start and set an NHL record by winning their first 14 home games.
There was only one time when the Bruins had two consecutive regulation losses. Their longest winless streak was three games, happening only once. While their postseason status was never in doubt, the Bruins still dashed to the finish line by winning 26 of their last 30 games.
“Being able to stay focused and learn how to win when chasing records is the closest thing you can do, when you’re having a season like us, to prepare for the playoffs,” Montgomery said.
Everything everywhere, all at wins
No matter the time, place or opponent, the Boston Bruins beat everybody this season.
Boston tied the NHL record for road wins in a season (31), shared with the 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings. Boston also set new franchise records for road wins and home wins (34) during their record-breaking season.
The B’s bullied the Western Conference at home this season, as 14 of its 16 teams failed to register a victory when visiting Boston. The only teams that did, quite inexplicably: the Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks, both currently tabulating their lottery odds.
Marchand once offered some advice to his teammate Pastrnak: Always aim for 10 goals higher than you think you can score.
“I was aiming for 60 this season,” Pastrnak said. “I wasn’t really thinking I could get there.”
He got there, setting new career bests for goals and points. Winger Jake DeBrusk, center Pavel Zacha and defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Matt Grzelcyk also set new career highs, as the Bruins finished second to Edmonton in goals-per-game average. The Bruins had 12 players score at least 30 points on the season.
Boston’s scoring depth isn’t coincidental. Captain Patrice Bergeron said it’s a byproduct of the camaraderie and chemistry that defines these Bruins. Everyone gets their time to shine.
“We want to make sure everyone is valued and bringing their best,” he said. “It’s someone stepping up every night and it’s great to see.”
Boston’s ‘elite consistency’ in save percentage
Goalies Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman famously celebrate Bruins victories with an exaggerated hug on the ice. Here’s another reason for them to celebrate: They’ve won the Jennings Trophy as the NHL goalies with the lowest goals-per-game average for their team.
“It’s such a special relationship. To see it translate on the ice for both of us is very special,” Swayman said. “There’s no one I’ll ever meet like him again. I’m just enjoying the ride.”
Montgomery has referred to goaltender Ullmark’s “elite consistency” this season, which is an apt way to describe a goaltender that won 40 games and led the league in both save percentage and goals-against average. Between him and Swayman, the Bruins’ net is very protected, no matter where opponents shoot.
Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.
Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.
The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.
If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.
Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.
“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”
Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.
“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”
The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.
In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.
“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”
Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.
Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.
The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”
Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.
Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.
San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.
Arenado, who was 1-for-3, was replaced in the seventh inning by Thomas Saggese. While it was unclear how Arenado hurt the finger, it is the same injury that kept him out of two games last week during a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Arenado has 10 home runs and 42 RBIs in 84 games this season.
Pham was trying to get to second on his liner off the wall in right field in the seventh inning of the Twins’ 2-1 victory Friday night. Right fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s throw beat Pham, whose batting helmet made contact with Correa’s lower leg.
Correa rolled over and stayed on the ground before leaving the game. Brooks Lee moved from second base to shortstop to replace Correa. The team said Correa had a mild ankle sprain.
Correa said X-rays were negative and that he expects to sit out Saturday’s game, adding that he “hopefully” can play on Sunday, according to MLB.com.
The 30-year-old Correa is already in his 11th big league season and has been a mainstay at shortstop for the Twins since signing as a free agent in 2022. He missed about half of last season with a concussion and a plantar fascia injury, the latter of which kept him from playing in the All-Star Game after he was chosen for the third time.