UNDERRATED?: Boston Bruins Defy Expectations with a playoff appearance last season. What's next?

The Boston Bruins enter the 2026-27 NHL season as a bubble team, but can rising stars like Fraser Minton and the newly acquired JJ Peterka ignite another playoff run? Marco Sturm’s squad seeks stability after a flurry of offseason moves, including the departure of Viktor Arvidsson and backup Jonas Korpisalo, while questions swirl around Elias Lindholm’s health and the contract status of Matt Poitras. Hosts Eddie Garcia and Shukri Wrights are joined by Locked on Bruins host Ian McLaren to examine the impact of Peterka’s potential top-line role alongside David Pastrnak and debate whether the Bruins’ internal development — especially at center with Minton and James Hagens — can offset blue-line gaps and concerns at number one center. Defensive improvements, Nikita Zadorov’s growth, and the looming captaincy decision between Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy take center stage. Is Boston primed to defy expectations again, or will the Atlantic Division’s fierce competition leave them on the outside looking in?