After a shaky 5-7 start to the 2011-12 season, the Bruins halted the losing train and have regained the persona that guided them to the Stanley Cup last season.
The Bruins ended 2011 on a high note, going 9-3 in the month of December, giving them a 24-10-1 record heading into the new calendar year. Since their 5-7 start, the Bruins have gone 19-3-1 (49 points), and are only 3 points behind the New York Rangers for the best record in the NHL (52 points).
The scoring for the Bruins has come from all parts of the roster. Tyler Seguin is leading the team with 32 points and tied with Brad Marchand for the most goals (15). Patrice Bergeron is leading the team with 21 assists (28 points overall), and the Bruins boast 9 players with 21 points or better.
Zdeno Chara leads all Bruins defensemen in scoring with 23 points (7 G, 16 A), followed by a new face on the Bruins this season with 16 points, Joe Corvo (2 G, 14 A).
The Bruins have been active in the penalty box as well. Even though Marchand and Milan Lucic are numbers 2 and 4 on the team in scoring, respectively; they are also leading the team in PIM (Lucic 63 PIM, Marchand 60). Shawn Thornton has also spent 56 minutes in the penalty box to this point, while also contributing two goals and four assists.
The goaltending in Boston has been spectacular. Tim Thomas has led the way with a 16-6 record (4 shutouts), and a 1.94 goals-against average. His backup Tuukka Rask has been equally as impressive, posting an 8-4 record, 1.61 GAA, and two shutouts to his credit. As a team the Bruins have a .944 save percentage; allowing only 64 goals on 1,153 shots.
The Bruins play their first game of 2012 Wednesday January 4th in New Jersey against the Devils. They return home to the TD Garden Center the following night to face the Calgary Flames. The month of January for the Bruins consists of 13 games (six home, seven away).
If the Bruins continue their hot play through the first month of 2012, they may start February atop the NHL with the best record in the league. The quest continues Wednesday night.
