October hockey should be taken somewhat lightly...
But when you face a team that is still ranked as an Eastern Conference favorite, despite getting swept out of the playoffs, isn’t there still a point to be proven?
For me, the Bruins can best prove that their run through the postseason last year was no fluke (with or without a semifinal showdown with Tampa) by setting the tone of any future playoff matchup so early in the season. As they’ve demonstrated so far, the Bruins do not look willing to back off of the domination mindset that propelled them to within a win of glory.