Stanley Cups: 6

2011-'12 record: 49-29-1-3, 102 points (1st in Northeast, 2nd in East)

2011-'12 playoffs: Lost to Washington Capitals 4-3.

Coach: Claude Julien (347-218-92, 11th NHL year, 3rd team)

Top returning scorer: C Tyler Seguin (29 goals, 38 assists, 67 points)

Top returning goalie: Tuukka Rask (11-8-3, 2.05, .929)

Key additions: LW Chris Bourque; C Christian Hanson; D Garnet Exelby; D Aaron Johnson.

Key subtractions: C Zach Hamill; G Tim Thomas; RW Brian Rolston; LW Benoit Pouliot; D Joe Corvo; D Mike Mottau.

Goaltending: With two-time Vezina winner Thomas taking a sabbatical from the game, Rask is now the club’s go-to guy. He posted a 1.97 goals-against average and .931 save percentage while carrying the load for an ailing Thomas in 2009-10.

Player to watch: D Dougie Hamilton. Boston’s top pick in the 2011 entry draft started season with Niagara (OHL), but will stick with big club. At 6-5, 199 pounds, he’s a monster blue-liner comparable to Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. His parents Doug (rowing) and Lynn (basketball) were both 1984 Canadian Olympians.

Icing: Bruins suspended Thomas, but still face a $5 million cap hit this season for his salary . . . Bruins D Andre Ference, a devout environmentalist, vowed to plant 50 trees for every goal Seguin scores this season . . . Bourque is the son of Bruins legend Ray Bourque . . . Hanson is the son of Dave Hanson, one of the Hanson brothers from the hockey cult film Slap Shot.

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS ATLANTIC Devils Flyers Islanders Penguins Rangers CENTRAL Blackhawks Blue Jackets Blues Predators Red Wings NORTHEAST Bruins Canadiens Maple Leafs Sabres Senators NORTHWEST Avalanche Canucks Flames Oilers Wild SOUTHEAST Capitals Hurricanes Jets Lightning Panthers PACIFIC Coyotes Ducks Kings Sharks Stars

More news

Getty Images

Stayin' alive

PHT: Both backed against a wall, the Rangers and Blackhawks look to stave off elimination against the Bruins and Red Wings tonight.

PHT: Brassard says Marchand shows no respect

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Tortorella defends sitting Richards  |  Watch

PHT: Maloney signs long-term deal as Coyotes GM

Blackhawks find their backs to the wall

CSN: Struggling 'Hawks on brink of elimination

PHT: Wings push Hawks to brink  |  Highlights

PHT: Toews' frustrations boil over in Game 4 loss

PHT: Crawford confident Chicago can come back

PHT: Kings defend home ice, up 3-2  |  Highlights