An excerpt from The Hockey News (Ryan Dixon):

The Boston Bruins surprised just about everyone by making the playoffs last year and nearly upped the ante to astonishment when they fell just short of upsetting the heavily favored Montreal Canadiens in the first round.

For one of the few times since they moved to TD Banknorth Garden from ‘The Gah-den,’ the Black and Gold are emitting signs of long-term progress.

Everybody knows about the Bruins’ commitment to defense. It starts with coach Claude Julien’s teachings, filters down through Zdeno Chara’s wingspan and touches every corner of the dressing room.