Boston Bruins: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox NHL team

| team_name = Boston Bruins

| current = ~~2023–24~~2024–25 Boston Bruins season

| bg_color = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#FDB717 5px solid;

| text_color = #000000

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===Early years (1924–1942)===

In 1924, the NHL made the decision to expand to the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legends of Hockey |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b196001&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013204102/http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp?mem=b196001&type=Builder&page=bio&list=ByName#photo |archive-date=October 13, 2014 |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref> The previous year in 1923, sports promoter [[Thomas Duggan]] received options on three NHL franchises for the United States, and sold one to [[Boston]] grocery magnate [[Charles Adams (ice hockey)|Charles Adams]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1924 |title=Six-Club League Favored |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aMAtAAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA16~~&dq=Thomas+Duggan+NHL+Boston&pg=PA16&article_id=6881,2430744~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8h6ak0oGGAxVoODQIHWTnCp4QuwV6BAgMEAY#v=onepage&q=Thomas%20Duggan%20NHL%20Boston&f=false~~ |access-date=May 21, 2024 |work=The Montreal Gazette |pages=16}}</ref> The team was one of the NHL's first expansion teams, and the first NHL team to be based in the United States. Adams' first act as owner was to hire [[Art Ross]], a former star player and innovator, as general manager.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 19, 1960 |title=Publicist explains origins of NHL team nick-names |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4bRUAAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA19~~&dq=Charles+Adams+hires+art+ross&pg=PA19&article_id=4873,3688528~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigmYax1YGGAxVkMDQIHWIUBDgQuwV6BAgNEAY#v=onepage&q=Charles%20Adams%20hires%20art%20ross&f=false~~ |access-date=May 21, 2024 |work=The Leader-Post |pages=19}}</ref>

Ross came up with "Bruins" for a team nickname, a name for [[brown bear]]s used in classic folk tales. The team's nickname also went along with the team's original uniform colors of brown and yellow, which came from Adams' grocery chain, [[Finast|First National Stores]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Marrazza|first1=Dan|title=How NHL Teams Got Their Names|url=https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/nhl-teams-getting-their-names/c-283742854|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=January 18, 2018|date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120119/https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights/news/nhl-teams-getting-their-names/c-283742854|url-status=live}}</ref>

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The Bruins improved in [[1925–26 NHL season|their second season]] to a winning 17–15–4 record, which originally held the record for the biggest single-season improvement in NHL history, and is now third.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Klein |first1=Jeff Z. |title=The Klein & Reif Hockey Compendium |last2=Reif |first2=Karl-Eric |date=1987 |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |isbn=978-0-7710-4529-5 |location=Toronto |page=63}}</ref> However, they missed out on the third and final playoff berth by one point to the expansion [[Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)|Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>Standings: {{cite book |author=NHL Public Relations Department |title=The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2009 |publisher=National Hockey League |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-894801-14-0 |editor=Dave McCarthy |page=146 |display-editors=et al}}</ref>

In [[1926–27 NHL season|their third season]], Ross took advantage of the collapse of the [[Western Canada Hockey League|Western Hockey League]] (WHL) to purchase several western stars, including the team's first great star, [[Defenceman|defenseman]] [[Eddie Shore]]. With the Bruins, he would go on to become one of the greatest players in NHL history.<ref>{{cite book |last=Coleman |first=Charles L. |title=Trail of the Stanley Cup, Vol I. |date=1964 |publisher=National Hockey League |location=Sherbrooke, PQ |page=709}}</ref> Boston qualified for the then-expanded playoffs by a comfortable margin. In their first-ever playoff run, the Bruins reached the [[Stanley Cup Finals]] where they lost to the [[Ottawa Senators (original)|Ottawa Senators]] in the first Stanley Cup Finals ~~to be~~ between exclusively NHL teams.<ref>{{Cite book |~~last~~last1=Johnson |~~first~~first1=Richard |title=The Bruins in Black and White, 1924–1966 |last2=Codagnone |first2=Brian |publisher=Arcadia Publishing ~~|year=~~ |isbn=9780738534855 |publication-date=December 9, 2003 |pages=13}}</ref> The cup-winning game for the Senators would see Bruin [[Billy Coutu]] attack the referee, earning him a ban from the NHL for life, the only in league history.<ref>{{cite book |last=Vautour |first=Kevin |title=The Bruins Book |date=1997 |publisher=ECW Press |isbn=978-1-55022-334-7 |location=Toronto |page=42}}</ref>

The [[1928–29 NHL season|1928–29 season]] was the first played at [[Boston Garden]]. In 1929, the Bruins defeated the [[New York Rangers]] to win their first [[Stanley Cup]] in two games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Steve |date=March 29, 2024 |title=~~Bruins’~~Bruins' First Stanley Cup Clincher—March 29, 1929 |url=https://blackngoldhockey.com/2024/03/bruins-first-stanley-cup-clincher-march-29-1929/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=Black N' Gold Hockey}}</ref> Standout players on the first championship team included Shore, [[Harry Oliver (ice hockey)|Harry Oliver]], [[Dit Clapper]], [[Dutch Gainor]] and [[goaltender]] [[Tiny Thompson]].

The season after that, [[1929–30 NHL season|1929–30]], the Bruins posted the best-ever regular season [[winning percentage]] in the NHL (.875, a record which still stands) because of a 38–5–1 record,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Molinari |first=Dave |date=April 6, 1973 |title=Illness Foiled Barasso |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6rFRAAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA34~~&dq=Boston+Bruins+.875+win+percentage&pg=PA34&article_id=6868,3172609~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivqdbTtISGAxXzOTQIHWiKBj4QuwV6BAgFEAY#v=onepage&q=Boston%20Bruins%20.875%20win%20percentage&f=false~~ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref> and shattered numerous scoring records, but lost to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the [[1930 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]].

The 1930s Bruins teams included Shore, Thompson, Clapper, [[Babe Siebert]] and [[Cooney Weiland]]. The team led the league five times in the decade.<ref name=":1" /> In [[1938–39 NHL season|1939]], the team captured its second Stanley Cup. That year, Thompson was traded for [[rookie]] goaltender [[Frank Brimsek]]. Brimsek had an award-winning season, capturing the [[Vezina Trophy|Vezina]] and [[Calder Memorial Trophy|Calder Trophies]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 30, 1939 |title=Brimsek No. 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCI_AAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA30~~&dq=Brimsek+vezina+and+Calder+trophies&pg=PA30&article_id=5375,6773346~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjwho3Vr4aGAxX9HjQIHcu7AYkQuwV6BAgJEAY#v=onepage&q=Brimsek%20vezina%20and%20Calder%20trophies&f=false~~ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Windsor Daily Star}}</ref> becoming the first rookie named to the NHL first All-Star team, and earning the nickname "Mr. Zero."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frank Brimsek |url=http://history.vintagemnhockey.com/page/show/807236-frank-mr-zero-brimsek- |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History}}</ref> The team skating in front of Brimsek included [[Bill Cowley]], Shore, Clapper and "Sudden Death" [[Mel Hill]] (who scored three [[Overtime (ice hockey)|overtime]] goals in one playoff series), together with the "[[Kraut line]]" of [[Centre (ice hockey)|center]] [[Milt Schmidt]], [[Winger (ice hockey)|right winger]] [[Bobby Bauer]] and left winger [[Woody Dumart]].

In the [[1939–40 NHL season|1939–40 season]], Shore was traded to the struggling [[New York Americans]] for his final NHL season. In 1941, the Bruins won their [[1941 Stanley Cup Finals|third Stanley Cup]] after losing only eight games and finishing first in the regular season.<ref name=":1" /> It was their last Stanley Cup for 29 years. [[World War II]] affected the Bruins more than most teams; Brimsek and the "Krauts" all enlisted in the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] following the 1941 Cup win, and lost the most productive years of their careers at war.<ref name="origins">{{cite news |last=Mills |first=Rych |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Flash from the Past / It started here: the Kraut Line's origins |url=https://www.therecord.com/living-story/7497550-flash-from-the-past-it-started-here-the-kraut-line-s-origins/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Record}}</ref> Cowley, assisted by veteran player Clapper and [[Busher Jackson]], became the team's remaining star.

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The NHL had by [[1942–43 NHL season|1942]] been reduced, for the next 25 years, to the six teams that would come to be called the "[[Original Six]]."

In 1944, Bruins' [[Herb Cain]] set the then-NHL record for points in a season with 82.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 21, 1944 |title=Boston's Herb Cain Wins Scoring Honors |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XgtAAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA14~~&dq=Herb+Cain+82+points+record&pg=PA14&article_id=2902,3415045~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjR9orC2IaGAxXkAzQIHeQKDAIQuwV6BAgKEAY#v=onepage&q=Herb%20Cain%2082%20points%20record&f=false~~ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Montreal Gazette}}</ref> However, the Bruins did not make the playoffs that season.

The stars returned from World War II for the [[1945–46 NHL season|1945–46 season]], and Clapper led the team back to the Stanley Cup Finals as player-coach. He retired as a player after the next season, becoming the first player to play twenty NHL seasons. Brimsek proved to be not as good as he was before the war, and after 1946 the Bruins lost in the first playoff round three ~~straight~~consecutive years. After Brimsek was traded to the Blackhawks, the only remaining quality young player was forward [[Johnny Peirson]].

During the [[1948–49 NHL season|1948–49 season]], the original form of the "spoked-B" logo, with a small number "24" to the left of the capital B signifying the calendar year in the 20th century in which the Bruins team first played, and a similarly small "49" to the right of the "B",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=6515|title=Boston Bruins Anniversary Logo|website=[[SportsLogos.net]]|date=September 12, 2014|access-date=May 13, 2009|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211235722/http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=6515|url-status=live}}</ref> appeared on their home uniforms. The following season, the logo was modified into the basic "spoked-B" form that was to be used thereafter.

[[File:Walter A. Brown, Boston Celtics, 1960.jpg|thumb|upright|left|In 1951, [[Walter A. Brown]] purchased the Boston Bruins from [[Weston Adams]].]]

The 1950s began with Charles Adams' son [[Weston Adams|Weston]] facing financial trouble. He was forced to accept a buyout offer from [[Walter A. Brown]], the owner of the [[Boston Celtics]] and the Garden, in 1951.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1955 |title=Garden Re-elects Brown; to Buy All Bruin Stock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J4djAAAAIBAJ~~&pg=PA23~~&dq=walter+a.+brown+buys+bruins&pg=PA23&article_id=5461,931457~~&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjD2tKc34aGAxU2ATQIHQC1CucQuwV6BAgKEAY#v=onepage&q=walter%20a.%20brown%20buys%20bruins&f=false~~ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Although there were some instances of success (such as making the Stanley Cup Finals in [[1952–53 NHL season|1953]], [[1956–57 NHL season|1957]], and [[1957–58 NHL season|1958]], only to lose to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] each time), the Bruins mustered only four winning seasons between 1947 and 1967. They missed the playoffs eight ~~straight~~consecutive years ~~between~~ (1960 ~~and~~to 1967).

On January 18, 1958, the first-ever black NHL player, [[Willie O'Ree]], stepped onto the ice for the Bruins. He played in 45 games for the Bruins over the [[1957–58 NHL season|1957–58]] and [[1960–61 NHL season|1960–61]] seasons. The "Uke Line"—named for the [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] heritage of [[Johnny Bucyk]], [[Vic Stasiuk]], and [[Bronco Horvath]] – came to Boston in 1957 and enjoyed four productive offensive seasons, heralding, along with scoring stalwarts [[Don McKenney]] and [[Fleming MacKell]], the successful era of the late 1950s. There followed a long and difficult reconstruction period in the early to mid-1960s.

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Weston Adams repurchased the Bruins in 1964 after Brown's death. Adams signed future superstar defenseman [[Bobby Orr]], who entered the league in [[1966–67 NHL season|1966]]. Orr was that season's winner of the [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] for Rookie of the Year and named to the second NHL All-Star Team. Despite Orr's stellar rookie season, the Bruins would miss the playoffs.

The next season, Boston made the playoffs for the first of 29 ~~straight~~consecutive seasons, an all-time record. The Bruins then obtained forwards [[Phil Esposito]], [[Ken Hodge]] and [[Fred Stanfield]] from [[Chicago]] in a deal celebrated as one of the most one-sided in hockey history. Hodge and Stanfield became key elements of the Bruins' success, and Esposito, who centered a line with Hodge and [[Wayne Cashman]], became the league's top goal scorer and the first NHL player to break the 100-point mark, setting many goal- and point-scoring records. With other stars like forwards Bucyk, [[John McKenzie (hockey player)|John McKenzie]], [[Derek Sanderson]], and Hodge, defenders like [[Dallas Smith (ice hockey)|Dallas Smith]] and goaltender [[Gerry Cheevers]], the "Big Bad Bruins" became one of the league's top teams from the late 1960s into the 1980s.

In [[1969–70 NHL season|1970]], a 29-year Stanley Cup drought came to an end in Boston, as the Bruins defeated the [[St. Louis Blues]] in four games in the Final. Orr scored the game-winning goal in overtime to clinch the Stanley Cup. The same season was Orr's most awarded—the third of eight consecutive years he won the [[James Norris Memorial Trophy]] as the top defenseman in the NHL—and he won the [[Art Ross Trophy]], the [[Conn Smythe Trophy]] and the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], the only player to ever win four major awards in the same season.

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Bourque, [[Cam Neely]] and [[Keith Crowder]] led the Bruins to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance in [[1987–88 NHL season|1988]] against the [[Edmonton Oilers]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067342/index.htm | publisher=CNN | title=Devilish Feat by the Bruins | date=May 23, 1988 | access-date=April 26, 2010 | archive-date=November 5, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105021420/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067342/index.htm | url-status=~~live~~dead }}</ref> The Bruins lost in a four-game sweep. Boston returned to the Stanley Cup Finals in [[1989–90 NHL season|1990]] (with Neely, Bourque, [[Craig Janney]], [[Bobby Carpenter (ice hockey)|Bobby Carpenter]], and [[rookie]] [[Don Sweeney]], and former Oiler goalie [[Andy Moog]] and [[Réjean Lemelin|Reggie Lemelin]] splitting goaltending duties), but again lost to the Oilers, this time in five games.

In the [[1987–88 NHL season]], the Bruins defeated their [[Original Six]] nemesis Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. In [[1990–91 NHL season|1991]] and [[1991–92 NHL season|1992]], the Bruins suffered two consecutive Conference Final losses to the eventual Cup champion, the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]. Starting from the [[1992–93 NHL season]] onwards, the Bruins had not gotten past the second round of the playoffs until winning the Stanley Cup after the [[2010–11 NHL season|2011 season]].

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After a mediocre start, the Bruins fired coach [[Pat Burns]] in favor of [[Mike Keenan]]. Despite a 15-point improvement, the Bruins missed the playoffs in [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01]], and Keenan was let go. Center [[Jason Allison]] led the Bruins in scoring. The following season, [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02]], the Bruins won their first Northeast Division title since [[1992–93 NHL season|1993]] with a core built around [[Joe Thornton]], [[Sergei Samsonov]], [[Brian Rolston]], [[Bill Guerin]], [[Mike Knuble]] and [[Glen Murray (hockey player)|Glen Murray]]. They lost in six games to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs.

The [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]] found the Bruins finishing seventh in the East, but lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion [[New Jersey Devils]] in five games. In [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]], the Bruins won another division title and appeared to get past the first round for the first time in five years with a 3–1 series lead on the rival Canadiens. However, the Canadiens rallied back to win three~~-straight~~ consecutive games, upsetting the Bruins.

[[File:Chara, Zdeno.jpg|thumb|left|The Bruins acquired [[Zdeno Chára|Zdeno Chara]] on July 1, 2006, naming him the new team captain.]]

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===Don Sweeney era (2015–present)===

On April 15, 2015, Peter Chiarelli was fired by the Boston Bruins. On May 20, the Bruins named former player [[Don Sweeney]] as the team's new general manager for the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]]. One recent all-time franchise achievement the Bruins attained in the 2015–16 season is shared by only their greatest rival, the Canadiens – a total of 3,000 wins in the team's existence, achieved by the Bruins on January 8, 2016, in a 4–1 road victory against the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite web |url=~~http~~https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/enbos-vs-njd/2016/01/08/~~recap?id=~~2015020608 |title=Bruins defeat Devils for 3,000th win in history |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |date=January 8, 2016 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 9, 2016 |quote=Center Ryan Spooner and defenseman Colin Miller each had a goal and an assist to help the Boston Bruins become the second team in NHL history to win 3,000 regular season games with a 4–1 win against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Friday. |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109090212/http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2015020608 |url-status=live }}</ref> The team was seen as a playoff contender throughout the regular season. However, a sub-.500 record on home ice and frequent road losses in the final two months of the regular season resulted in a three-way battle for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bruins had a chance to clinch the final playoff berth with a win over the Ottawa Senators on the second-to-last day of the season, but they lost the game and that combined with a Flyers' win over the Penguins, knocked them out of playoff contention in favor of the Flyers. For the first time since the two seasons following the 2004–05 lockout, the Bruins did not qualify for the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.

[[File:McAvoy.jpg|thumb|[[Charlie McAvoy]] and other players warming up prior to a game in the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. The Bruins qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|2014]].]]

During the last two months of the [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]] regular season, the Bruins fired head coach Claude Julien and promoted [[Bruce Cassidy]] to interim coach. Cassidy's very slight changes in coaching to emphasize the players' speed and hockey skills,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/boston_bruins_why_the_atlantic_division_is_there_for_the_taking/s1_7899_24175654 |title=Boston Bruins: Why the Atlantic Division is there for the taking |last=Reissis |first=Alexandros |date=June 15, 2017 |website=yardbarker.com |publisher=Yardbarker |access-date=June 24, 2017 |quote=With the 2016–2017 NHL season finished, it is time to look ahead to next season...The Boston Bruins, who made the playoffs for the first time since 2014, will look to take another step forward under head coach Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy, who replaced Claude Julien, turned the Bruins into a team that used speed and skill, and it worked. Even though the B's lost in Round 1 against the Ottawa Senators in six games, this season was a sign of great things to come. |archive-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804174108/http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/boston_bruins_why_the_atlantic_division_is_there_for_the_taking/s1_7899_24175654 |url-status=live }}</ref> as opposed to Julien's, resulted in the Bruins achieving an 18–8–1 record through their remaining regular season games, finishing third in the Atlantic Division and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since the 2013–14 season. In the first round of the playoffs, the Bruins lost to the Ottawa Senators in six games.

Cassidy returned as head coach for the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], leading the Bruins to the playoffs ~~for the second~~a ~~straight~~consecutive ~~year~~season. They had a record of 50–20–12, including an 18-game point streak, which lasted from December 14, 2017, to January 25, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/bruins/bruins-extend-point-streak-18-win-over-senators-3-2 |title=Bruins extend point streak to 18 with win over Senators, 3–2 |date=January 25, 2018 |website=nbcsports.com |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=May 12, 2018 |quote=OTTAWA, Ontario – Jake DeBrusk wasn't even trying to score and ended up with the winner. DeBrusk beat Mike Condon with 8:41 left to lift the Boston Bruins over the Ottawa Senators 3–2 on Thursday night for their fifth ~~straight~~consecutive win. |archive-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152153/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/bruins/bruins-extend-point-streak-18-win-over-senators-3-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> They finished one point behind the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. They defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, 4–3, but ultimately lost to the Lightning in round two, 4–1. The season saw young players perform well, including [[Jake DeBrusk]], [[Danton Heinen]], [[Ryan Donato]], and [[Charlie McAvoy]]. The Bruins also acquired veterans [[Rick Nash]], [[Nick Holden]], [[Brian Gionta]], and [[Tommy Wingels]] through trades or through free-agent signings.

During the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]] the Bruins finished the regular season in second place in the division with a 49–24–9 overall record. During the trade deadline, the team acquired [[Charlie Coyle]] and [[Marcus Johansson (ice hockey, born 1990)|Marcus Johansson]]. In the first round of the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs]], as in the previous season, they faced the Maple Leafs, defeating them in seven games. In a six-game series, the Bruins defeated the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] in the second round and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2013. The Bruins won the Eastern Conference Finals by sweeping out the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in four games, thus winning the [[Prince of Wales Trophy]] and advancing to the [[2019 Stanley Cup Finals]] for the third time in 10 years.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Satriano |first1=David |title=Bruins will play Sharks or Blues in Stanley Cup Final |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-will-play-stanley-cup-final-against-blues-or-sharks/c-307435680 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 18, 2019 |date=May 17, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517135326/https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-will-play-stanley-cup-final-against-blues-or-sharks/c-307435680 |url-status=live }}</ref> They faced the [[St. Louis Blues]] in a rematch of the [[1970 Stanley Cup Finals]]. This time, however, the Blues would emerge victorious, winning in seven games.

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Jacobs represents the club on the NHL's board of governors, and serves on its executive committee, and he has chaired the finance committee. At the NHL board of governors meeting in June 2007, Jacobs was elected chairman of the board, replacing the [[Calgary Flames]]' [[Harley Hotchkiss]], who stepped down after 12 years in the position. Jacobs has frequently been listed by the ''[[Sports Business Journal]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/jeremy-jacobs/|title=Jeremy Jacobs – Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame|date=July 25, 2012|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-date=September 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923200638/https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/jeremy-jacobs/|url-status=live}}</ref> as one of the most influential people in sports in its annual poll<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/|title=SportsBusiness Journal|website=sportsbusinessjournal.com|access-date=January 1, 2014|archive-date=September 20, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050920162242/http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> and by ''The Hockey News''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-hockey-news-people-of-power-and-influence-no-3-jeremy-jacobs |title=The Hockey News' People of Power and Influence: No. 3 – Jeremy Jacobs |work=The Hockey News |date=August 20, 2019 |access-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228212810/https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-hockey-news-people-of-power-and-influence-no-3-jeremy-jacobs |url-status=live }}</ref> His company owns TD Garden and he is partners with [[John W. Henry|John Henry]], owner of [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Boston Red Sox]], in the [[New England Sports Network]] (NESN).

After taking over as owner in 1975, the Bruins have been competitive (making the playoffs for 29~~-straight~~ consecutive seasons from [[1967–68 NHL season|1967–68]] to [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96]], 20 of which were with Jacobs as owner) but have won the Stanley Cup only once, in [[2011 Stanley Cup Finals|2011]] and only in his 36th year as owner. Under previous ownerships, the Bruins had won the Stanley Cup five times. Under Jacobs, the Bruins have reached the Stanley Cup Finals seven times (twice against the Bruins' arch-rival Montreal Canadiens in [[1977 Stanley Cup Finals|1977]] and [[1978 Stanley Cup Finals|1978]], twice against the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in [[1988 Stanley Cup Finals|1988]] and [[1990 Stanley Cup Finals|1990]], finally winning in 2011 against the [[Vancouver Canucks]], and losing in [[2013 Stanley Cup Finals|2013]] and 2019 to the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues). Jacobs' management of the team in the past earned him spots on [[ESPN.com]]'s "[[Page 2]]" polls of "The Worst Owners in Sports,"<ref>{{cite web|url=~~http~~https://www.espn~~.go~~.com/page2/s/2001/0710/1224543.html|title=The List: Worst owners in sports|work=Page2|publisher=ESPN.com|access-date=February 23, 2009|archive-date=December 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218215928/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/2001/0710/1224543.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 7 on their 2005 "Greediest Owners in sports" list.<ref>{{cite web|url=~~http~~https://www.espn~~.go~~.com/page2/s/list/owners/greediest.html|title=The Greediest Owners in Sports|work=Page2|publisher=ESPN.com|access-date=February 23, 2009|archive-date=December 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219004100/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/owners/greediest.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' has suggested longtime star defenseman Ray Bourque, who "often drawn the ire of the [[National Hockey League Players' Association|NHLPA]] for his willingness to re-sign with Boston with minimal negotiations over the years" instead of setting the "watermark for defenseman salaries", requested and received a trade in 2000 since the team's "hardline and spendthrift ways" meant he would have to make the move to get his elusive Stanley Cup (Bourque holds the record for most games played before winning the Cup).<ref>{{cite news|title=CNNSI.com – NHL Hockey – Say It Ain't So: Boston Bruins – Wednesday May 09, 2001 05:36 PM|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/02/15/sayitaintso_bruins/|publisher=CNN|access-date=October 9, 2009|archive-date=July 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707143151/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/news/2001/02/15/sayitaintso_bruins/|url-status=~~live~~dead}}</ref> Prior to the [[NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement]] signed in 2005, fans felt team management was not willing to spend to win the Stanley Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/31/2004/LIR.jhtml?passListId=31&passYear=2004&passListType=Misc&uniqueId=313364&datatype=Misc |title= NHL Team Valuations |work=Forbes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317151159/http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/31/2004/LIR.jhtml?passListId=31&passYear=2004&passListType=Misc&uniqueId=313364&datatype=Misc |archive-date=March 17, 2011 }}</ref>

Since 2005, Jacobs' public image has improved as he invested in the team and rebuilding the front office to make the team more competitive. The Bruins were the second highest-ranked team in the NHL in the 2008–09 season and were the top-seeded team in the East. With a complete change in management, including now-former general manager [[Peter Chiarelli (ice hockey)|Peter Chiarelli]] – who lost his position with the Bruins on April 15, 2015, with the May 20 hiring of [[Don Sweeney]] – long-time assistant general manager with the team. Sweeney and team president Cam Neely had continued working with the longest-term Bruins head coach ever, [[Claude Julien (ice hockey)|Claude Julien]] until his firing on February 7, 2017,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Bruins Relieve Claude Julien of Coaching Duties|url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-relieve-claude-julien-of-coaching-duties/c-286508860|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=February 7, 2017|date=February 7, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804213821/https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-relieve-claude-julien-of-coaching-duties/c-286508860|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Bruce Cassidy]] being hired as interim head coach with Julien's firing – Cassidy would become the permanent head coach of the Bruins as of April 26, 2017.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=Bruce Cassidy Named 28th Head Coach of the Boston Bruins|url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruce-cassidy-named-28th-head-coach-of-the-boston-bruins/c-289096528|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=April 26, 2017|date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027203730/https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruce-cassidy-named-28th-head-coach-of-the-boston-bruins/c-289096528|url-status=live}}</ref> Neely has continued as team president since the Bruins' most recent Stanley Cup victory in 2011.

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==Players and personnel==

===Current roster===

{{Boston Bruins roster}}~~<br />~~

===Team captains===

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* [[2019 NHL Entry Draft|2019]]: [[John Beecher (ice hockey)|John Beecher]] (30th overall)

* [[2021 NHL Entry Draft|2021]]: [[Fabian Lysell]] (21st overall)

* [[2024 NHL Entry Draft|2024]]: [[Dean Letourneau]] (25th overall)

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{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders~~" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0~~" style="~~margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;~~ text-align: center"

|+ style="background:#fff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#FDB717 5px solid;"|Regular season

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|+ style="background:#fff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#FDB717 5px solid;"|Postseason

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;NESN (New England Sports Network)

* [[~~Jack~~Judd ~~Edwards (sportscaster)|Jack Edwards~~Sirott]]: TV play-by-play

* [[Andy Brickley]]: TV color analyst

* [[Andrew Raycroft]]: Rinkside reporter

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;98.5 The Sports Hub

* ~~[[Judd~~Ryan ~~Sirott]]~~Johnston: Radio play-by-play

* [[Bob Beers (ice hockey)|Bob Beers]]: Radio color analyst