2008-09 Boston Bruins Preview By Dan Di Sciullo, NHL Editor
(Sports Network) - The Boston Bruins found a formula for success last season
and it helped them earn a surprise trip to the playoffs.
Little was expected from the Bruins in 2007-08, but head coach Claude Julien
led Boston to the postseason by implementing a strict team defense strategy.
The new system worked, as the Bruins allowed just 222 goals en route to an 18-
point improvement in the regular season.
Julien's club was the eighth and final squad to earn a playoff berth in the
East last year, but went seven games with top-seeded Montreal be... More...
Marc Savard will be one of about 100 NHL skaters who will test the Thermablade Elite II skate blade in the coming weeks, according to the Boston Globe. Why is that noteworthy? Why because the blades will be heated to 41 degrees to hopefully reduce friction and vibration.
Our View:What if everyone uses the blades and the rink turns into a tank? The league will await feedback on the summer trials before rendering a decision, but with the ice problems around the league, using heated blades doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.
Patrice Bergeron continues to progress in his recovery from last season's concussion as he played in a charity event last weekend, according to the Boston Herald. It was good to get all the feeling back and it was a good first test, but I was feeling good before that. I was going there for fun, but also for another kind of practice for me to get ready for September.
Our View:Bergeron could be a big time sleeper this year as a return to the 70-point level isn't out of the question if he is healthy.
