BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 01: Craig Smith #12 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Taylor Hall #71 after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at TD Garden on May 01, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
When the NHL announced the new division for the 2021 season due to the coronavirus, they put teams in regions to limit travel. In the East Division, the Boston Bruins were placed with mainly the teams from the Metropolitan Division to form one of the toughest of the four divisions.
After starting the season 10-1-2, the Bruins hit a wall and fell all the way to fourth place in the division and even appeared not to be a lock for the postseason.