The Boston Bruins could not dream up a better start to their 2026-27 season.
The Bruins, through nearly one full month of hockey, sit with a record of 9-2-1, a thoroughly dominant record.
They sit first by points percentage. They trail only the Carolina Hurricanes by one point for top spot in the East, while the Bruins still run the Atlantic Division.
It's fitting that Boston faces Carolina on Tuesday. There can be no better measuring stick for just how good the Bruins are than against the defending Stanley Cup Champions inside their own building.
The Bruins now hold unbelievably strong odds to make it to the playoffs, and the numbers surge higher every day.
Moneypuck.com has the Bruins with just under an 80% chance to make the playoffs, and even that feels rather low.
So far, the Bruins have hit all the right buttons. Whether or not that continues remains to be seen.
But a strong test comes Tuesday. The Bruins travel to Raleigh for some Tuesday night hockey.