How “experts” see the outcome of the Bruins season

The Bruins open a new season Tuesday night with the same high hopes they've had for every season for at least two decades.

This version of the Black and Gold will undoubtedly look different. Gone are long-time regular players Jake DeBrusk and Linus Ullmark. There are also the new free agents Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Jeremy Swayman has a new contract and is considered the No. 1 goalkeeper of the future.

Boston is constantly in the hunt for the Atlantic Division crown. Cam Neely and Don Sweeney have built a sustainable organization and head coach Jim Montgomery was one of the most successful reserve coaches in franchise history through two seasons. The floor is again very high.

The question, of course, is whether the ceiling is high enough to return to Stanley Cup glory. Boston doesn't have to wait long for a test. The B's will be in the building Tuesday night when the Florida Panthers raise their Cup banner to open the new campaign before their home opener.

Can the Bruins break through and get past the Panthers this spring? Is a deep playoff run in their future? Here's how some of the top names in hockey media expect the 2024-25 season to play out in Boston.

Sportsnet
— Out of a group of 20 contributors, four picked the Bruins to win the Atlantic Division (12 picked Toronto)
– However, in another study, 17 out of 19 participants assumed that the Bruins would be one of the teams to come out of the Atlantic and make the playoffs

Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
–Fourth place in the Atlantic (behind Toronto, Florida and Tampa Bay), but still in the playoffs

Daily Faceoff
–On a seven-member panel, the Bruins averaged fourth place, ranging from third to sixth

The Boston Globe
–All five writers predicted a playoff appearance ranging from a 52-win first-place finish to a 40-win wild-card finish
– No one is higher on the Bruins this season than Globe writer Jim McBride, who is rooting for the Bruins to win the Stanley Cup over Bruce Cassidy and the Vegas Golden Knights: “Vegas can pull off the Bruins colors (so to speak), but the Original Sixers.” At the end, you will receive the most coveted silver chalice in the land. It is important that Jeremy Swayman is there to guard the goods.”

FanDuel Sports Betting
Stanley Cup: 12-1 (12th shortest)
Eastern Conference: +850 (tied for sixth shortest)
Overall score: over/under 97.5
To make the playoffs: Yes (-210) | No (+162)
Hart Trophy Winner: David Pastrnak (20-1)
Vezina Trophy winner: Jeremy Swayman (+600, same favorite)