The Boston Bruins have long been a dominant force in the Eastern Conference, but after a chaotic trade deadline, their current situation looks uncertain. With major roster changes—including the departure of longtime captain Brad Marchand—Boston is now in a fierce playoff battle with no guarantees of making it.
Bruins’ Struggles in the Standings
As of now, Boston is second to last in the Atlantic Division with 68 points from 66 games. They have secured 30 wins, suffered 28 losses, and recorded 8 overtime losses. Given the tightening playoff race, analysts and insiders are increasingly skeptical about their chances of securing a postseason spot.
Recently, NHL analysts Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp ranked the teams fighting for a playoff berth, and neither had the Bruins at the top. Instead, they placed the New York Rangers as the clear favorites, with Detroit, Montreal, and the New York Islanders also in strong contention. This raises a critical question: where does that leave Boston?
Trade Deadline Moves: A Rebuild or a Setback?
Initially, some Bruins fans viewed the trade deadline moves as a strategic shake-up, but concerns are mounting over whether they have weakened the team. The biggest move was the departure of Brad Marchand after 16 seasons, as he joined the Florida Panthers. In return, Boston received a conditional second-round draft pick in 2027, which could become a first-round pick in 2028 depending on the Panthers’ playoff performance.
Additionally, Charlie Coyle was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Casey Mittelstadt, prospect Will Zellers, and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (via Carolina). Another significant trade saw Brandon Carlo sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Fraser Minten, a first-round pick in 2026, and a fourth-round pick in 2025.
The Bruins also moved Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers in a three-team trade involving the New Jersey Devils. In return, Boston acquired defenseman Max Wanner, a second-round pick in 2025, and a fourth-round pick in 2026.
While these trades brought in prospects and future draft picks, they don’t immediately strengthen the roster, which is a major concern as the team fights for a playoff spot. Analysts are questioning whether these moves will help Boston stay competitive in the short term.
These five teams currently find themselves just outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.@BriBrows22 and @Rupper17 rank them based on how likely they are to sneak into a playoff spot. pic.twitter.com/UEx8Vr0isw
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 13, 2025
Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy
Both Boyle and Rupp expressed doubts about the Bruins’ playoff chances. Boyle ranked them third in likelihood of making the playoffs, while Rupp had them even lower at fourth, emphasizing that Boston is on thin ice. The concern isn’t just about losing Marchand—it’s about whether the team did enough to stay ahead of their rivals.
Meanwhile, teams like Montreal and Detroit have been surging, putting additional pressure on Boston. The Bruins’ offensive struggles and defensive inconsistencies have only heightened concerns, as the team lacks a true game-changer to lead them through this difficult stretch.
A Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the skepticism, the Bruins recently put on an impressive performance at TD Garden, securing a 3-2 comeback win against the Florida Panthers—the team that took their captain and ended their playoff hopes in previous seasons. The victory was particularly significant as Boston overcame a two-goal deficit, scoring three times in just under eight minutes in the third period.
This marked their second consecutive win after a three-game losing streak, giving fans some reason for optimism. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov emphasized the team’s resilience, stating, “There’s no quit in this team, and we’re going to keep pushing until the end. We’re just trying to build the momentum we haven’t had the whole year.”
The Road Ahead
While the Bruins can still fight their way into the playoffs, they face a difficult road ahead. Their remaining schedule is challenging, and with little room for error, goaltenders Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo will need to step up in a major way.
With playoff predictions favoring other teams, Boston’s future remains uncertain. However, as Zadorov hinted, “something is brewing.” Whether that means a last-minute playoff push or a disappointing finish remains to be seen.