The Boston Bruins is one of the most successful hockey clubs in the world. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Bruins have won six Stanley Cups, five Conference Championships, four President’s Trophies, and 27 Division Championships.
With such impressive feats, let’s learn more about Boston Bruins and review the most significant moments of the third-oldest active team in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Tim Thomas in 2010-2011 Season
Tim Thomas joined the Boston Bruins at age 28 after playing for Quebec Nordiques. He officially became the Bruins’ goaltender at age 32. During Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27, 2011, Tim Thomas led the Bruins to the team’s first Stanley Cup appearance after 1990, making him one of the leading goaltenders and contributing to his team’s impressive NHL odds.
Thomas again led the team to victory in the finals against Vancouver Canucks. In the team’s playoff run, Thomas secured 798 saves, a record-high in a single post-season and the most saves in the Stanley Cup.
As playoff MVP, Thomas earned the Conn Smythe Trophy. He was the oldest recipient of the award at 37 years old. Moreover, Thomas was the second American-born NHL player to win the award after Brian Leetch in 1994.
Becoming an NHL Team
In 1924, the Boston Bruins officially became part of the NHL. They are the first United States-based teams to join the league. The Bruins is one of the “Original Six,” along with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Montreal Canadiens.
The name “Bruins” was coined by Art Ross, the team’s first general manager. In Old English, “Bruins” is the term for brown bears in classic folk tales. On December 1, 1924, the Boston Bruins won their first NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens, 2-0.
Stanley Cup 2011
For the record, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup six times (1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, and 2011). Their win in the 2011 season was the most unforgettable among the rest.
They won the championship match against the Vancouver Canucks. The opposition was a heavy favorite in the game since the team showcased the best regular-season performances in the franchise’s history. Moreover, the Canucks won the President’s Trophy that year with their record-high 117 points in the regular season.
However, the Bruins won three games, including the historic Game 7 of that season. With 37 saves by Tim Thomas, Bruins have secured the championship title with a 4-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks. Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron scored two goals, each contributing to the team’s greatest win in history.
Game 7 of the 1979 semifinals
Over the years, the Bruins-Canadiens rivalry became more intense. The Canadiens was looking forward to clinching the fourth win in Game 7 of the 1979 semifinals. The Bruins were close to winning their third Stanley Cup when the referee whistled them. It was because there were seven Bruins on the ice with 2:34 left on the clock. Canadiens’ Guy Lafleur took advantage of the moment and executed a powerful shot into the net, sending the game into overtime.
Yvon Lambert finished the game, resulting in a 5-4 win and a spot in the finals for the Canadiens. The game was dubbed “Too Many Men” by league fans.
The Greatest Comeback Against Toronto Maple Leafs
The Bruins-Maple Leaf rivalry was also the most followed hockey encounter in history. Both are part of the Atlantic Division and meet each other four times each season. Toronto and Boston were Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association division rivals.
However, Game 7 of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs was arguably the greatest win of the Bruins against the Maple Leafs. Hosted in TD Garden, Massachusetts, the Bruins were trailing by three midway and knocked off the Maple Leafs after scoring four unanswered goals.
The miracle happened with just 1:22 minutes left on the clock. Milan Lucic executed a timely strike, giving hope to the Bruins. After 31 seconds, Patrice Bergeron leveled the game. He also ended the match with a decisive goal, making him one of history’s most legendary hockey heroes.
Recruiting Bobby Orr
At 18 years old, Bobby Orr became the Boston Bruins’ teen phenom. He joined the team in 1966 and, before long, became the greatest hockey player in the world. Orr immensely contributed to Bruins’ win in the 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cups. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both seasons.
He was also named to the NHL’s Second All-Star team and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s outstanding rookie in 1966.
Final Thoughts
With 65 wins and 135 regular-season points, the Boston Bruins is arguably the most impressive hockey team in history. Through their games, they have proven to be the master of blowout victories. The team also takes pride in the resilience and versatility that guided their formidable special teams, consistently exhibiting masterful actions on the ice.
