NHL East Division favorite Bruins aren't without their flaws

Editor’s note: The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the first in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they’ll face eight times apiece in the East Division.

For a team coming off a great season — they were the only club in the league to hit 100 points in 2019-20 — it’s easy to poke holes in the Boston Bruins.

They’re coming off a disappointing playoff performance, losing in five games to Tampa Bay in the second round after No. 1 goalie Tuukka Rask, dealing with family issues, bailed out of the bubble.

With Torey Krug off to St. Louis, their defense is thin, especially on the left side.

David Pastrnak (hip) and Brad Marchand (tongue) (no, wait, sports hernia) are coming off offseason surgery.

In a short season, a slow start with their star wingers hobbled could be a problem.

In fairness, though, that summary probably paints the Bruins in an inaccurate light.

Out of the bubble and back in the real world, they’re the favorites to win the division.

Last year’s playoffs were super weird. Everybody was holed up in hotels, playing games at odd times in front of no fans. It was like the Stanley Cup meets The Shining.

All work and no play makes Tuukka a dull boy, or something like that.

That’s over with now, and the Rask situation seems settled.

Pastrnak and Marchand should be fine in relatively short order, and when they’re paired with Patrice Bergeron, they might be the best line in the league.

The Bruins also have young players with the potential to take a step toward stardom. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy and winger Jake DeBrusk come to mind.

Yeah, there are potential weaknesses, but this is a team the Penguins certainly won’t relish playing eight times in four months.

Fun fact: Mike Sullivan is 0-7-1 in Boston since taking over as Penguins coach.

Yeah, he is 6-1 against the Bruins in Pittsburgh over that same span, but that 0-7-1 stat’s gotta sit with Sully about as well as a Yankees World Series win.

Bruins at a glance

Last year: 44-14-12 (100 points)

vs. Penguins last year: 2-1-0

Matchup to watch: Patrice Bergeron probably defends Sidney Crosby better than anyone in hockey.

Key losses: Torey Krug signed with St. Louis, and longtime captain Zdeno Chara is without a contract.

Key additions: Not much. Craig Smith signed away from Nashville?

What they’re saying: “We’d still like to explore our back end a little bit. Even though we feel we’ve got some guys that we feel can step in, it’s just a matter of the experience piece that everybody likes. … You’re never really satisfied with your lineup. I’m sure (GM Don Sweeney) is still looking at potentially tweaking or adding.” — team president Cam Neely

Trophy contenders: Tuukka Rask (Vezina: 12-1), Charlie McAvoy (Norris: 20-1), Brad Marchand (Hart: 24-1), David Pastrnak (Hart: 27-1), Patrice Bergeron (Hart: 50-1)

Odds to win Stanley Cup: +1400

Odds to win division: +250

Smart money: The Bruins should be worse than last season, but only by a little. Almost a lock to make the playoffs and the best bet to win the division.