The Boston Bruins once again look like they’ll be one of the NHL’s best teams heading into the 2024-25 regular season, but they must beat the league’s most outstanding units often in the regular season to drive that point home. Below, there are seven big-time matchups the Bruins and their fans must anticipate more than any other on their 2024-25 schedule, mostly early in the season.
These matchups will set the stage for Boston to get a step ahead in their two-to-four-game season series against some of the Eastern and Western Conference’s best or against teams that boast high potential. So, let’s check out seven matchups that Bruins fans must mark on their calendar if they haven’t already done so.
October 8th at Florida Panthers
This may be the ideal season opener of the 2024-25 season, as the Panthers knocked the Bruins out of the 2024 playoffs, so you can say this one will have ‘revenge game’ vibes. No, winning this game won’t be completely satisfying, but it would be a reality check to the Panthers that the Bruins are an even more improved team this time around.
October 19th at Utah Hockey Club
The Utah Hockey Club would love to pull off a few upsets early in the season, and doing so against a powerhouse like the Bruins is a good way to get the fans excited. But like the other 30 NHL teams, the Bruins will want to get a win in their first ever game against Utah, and they’re a team nobody should underestimate.
October 22nd at Nashville Predators
The Bruins will once again find themselves in the conversation as Stanley Cup contenders, but the Nashville Predators may be the latest team to join those rankings. Boston will get their first look at the new and improved Predators, a team that looked as though they were just a few puzzle pieces away from a deep playoff run last season.
October 26th vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Just as the first game on this list is a ‘revenge outing’ for the Bruins, you can say the same for their October 26th matchup vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston knocked Toronto out of the playoffs this past season, and the Leafs, with an improved defense and new bench boss, will be looking to beat the league’s best early and often.
