Boston Bruins 2018 schedule roadmap: Mark these games on your calendar

The Boston Bruins are beginning  to prepare for the upcoming season and we give you a preview of what lies ahead.

The Boston Bruins unfortunately ended their season with a second round playoff  loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The future still seemed promising with this young core of players, but within the division teams got stronger and have made that situation seem a little more difficult for this upcoming year.

Tampa Bay still looks as one of the favorites to make it to the Stanley Cup with the roster they have intact. The Toronto Maple Leafs also has solidified their team with the addition of John Tavares who will help Austin Matthews in their lineup. Buffalo has also made some good acquisitions, so it’s looking like the teams will have to battle for playoff positioning.

Boston made some moves with their roster as they welcomed John Moore, Javorslav Halak, Mark McNeill, Joakim Nordstrom and Chris Wagner during free agency.

Moving on to other teams were Tim Schaller, Riley Nash, Anton Khudobin, Nick Holden, Austin Czarnik and Tommy Cross.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

Going into the season the Boston Bruins will still have one of the strongest lines with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak together. It will be interesting how Bruce Cassidy decides to line up the other three lines as they would benefit not being so dependent on the first line for all the offense, as it has affected them in earlier seasons.

Defensively, they are still able to depend on Zdeno Chara and with getting Moore they hope to get more balance on their pairings. Offensively, with Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug they have the speed that  will allow transition up ice. In the net Tuukka Rask is expected to carry the load but Halak is more than qualified if his services are needed as was the case last year with Khudobin.

There are some matchups that are intriguing and fans will be ready when the puck drops. TD Garden will be rocking before we know it and in no time it will be hockey season in Boston.

Here are some games on the schedule that should not be missed.

Oct. 3 at Washington

The Boston Bruins open the NHL season versus the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. It will be a memorable night for their fans as they raise the banner for the first time in their history. It will also be a game that Bruins players themselves will be hoping to have of their own for next season.

Oct. 8 vs. Ottawa

The Bruins will be on home ice for the first time in a matinee game on Columbus Day. Opening Night is always a game fans want to be part of as we see which players start the season on the roster.

Oct. 27 vs. Montreal

The Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens games have always been can’t miss hockey in these parts, this game is no different. This is the first matchup between the two rivals this upcoming season.

Nov. 10 vs. Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs landed the biggest free agent this off-season in John Tavares and this is the first time the Boston fans see him as a division rival. It will also be the first time they meet since the Bruins defeated them in a thrilling Game 7 series to knock them out of the playoffs.

Nov. 29 vs. Islanders

This will be a memorable night for the fans and Rick Middleton as he becomes the 12th Boston Bruins player to have his number raised to the rafters.

Jan. 1 at Chicago (Winter Classic – Notre Dame Stadium)

Original Six franchises meet in this year’s 2019 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, the Bruins face the Chicago Blackhawks. This will be the third time the Bruins take part in the outdoor game.

Apr. 6 vs. Tampa Bay 

The B’s last game of the season is versus the Lightning, Tampa knocked them out of the playoffs. This game could also have important implications in the standings.

Other notable schedule notes:

• Longest road stretch: 5 games – Feb 15-23, against the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Golden Knights and Blues.
• Longest Homestand: 6 games – Feb 26-Mar 9, against Sharks, Lightning, Devils, Hurricanes, Panthers, and Senators.
• The All-Star Break will be Jan. 25-28, with the game on Jan. 27 at SAP Center in San Jose.

The Boston Bruins will also play four matinee games at home this season.  Overall, should be a fun season on the ice!