One win. That’s all the Boston Bruins needed last season. One win and they would’ve been Stanley Cup champions for the second time with their current core. That also means two heartbreaking losses in the final in this era, though this one likely stung a bit more. The 2018-19 season felt like their year – especially after Tampa Bay was upset in the opening round – and with the captain nearing his mid-40s, there won’t be many other chances. They were the favorites too, with Game 7 played on their home ice. That’s the kind of heartbreak time could never mend.



Now it’s time to try again, and while the Bruins are well-positioned to make another run and are a near playoff lock as one of three teams with playoff chances higher than 90 percent, being in the league’s toughest division is doing the team no favors.



The Bruins are a little bit older than their two Atlantic Division rivals and that’s what puts them third in the...