Courtesy of Boston.com

By: Evan Anderholm, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent

If how last year ended for the Boston Bruins was any indication, there is still some unfinished business for the black and gold. One year removed from Scott Walker’s heartbreaking overtime winner in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Bruins only have one objective for this season: taking a sip out of Lord Stanley’s Cup. It will be a difficult journey for this young squad, especially now that last year’s top scorer, Phil Kessel, is turning a new leaf in Toronto. However, still expect Boston to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

So far this preseason the Bruins have looked sharp and determined to improve as a team. Boston is currently 3-1-1 this preseason, coming off a loss in a shootout against Columbus, Tuesday. In the first five games, one major standout for the Bruins has been goalie Tuukka Rask. He’s the likely candidate to backup last year’s Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. In two starts, Rask faced 58 shots and allowed only two goals and has only improved from the few starts he had last season. Meanwhile, Tim Thomas hasn’t had a noteworthy preseason. Give the guy a break though; he’s only played in one game, a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. Expect him to be on his game on Saturday, as Coach Claude Julien announced he will start the B’s final preseason game at home against Columbus. But to be honest, a Bruins fan couldn’t ask for anyone else between the pipes. This is a guy who five years ago was playing hockey in Finland and didn’t reach the NHL until age thirty. Bruins fans typically suffer several heart attacks during each game with all the rebounds he gives up, but when it comes down to it he gets the job done and there’s no doubt he is one of the top goalies in the NHL.

Moving up to the blue line, the Bruins defense will be under pressure this year to play as outstanding as last year. With the loss of Aaron Ward this off-season the role players in Boston’s defensive group will have to step up. Obviously, last year’s Norris Trophy winner Zdeno Chara will lead the team at the blue line, but also look for veteran Dennis Wideman to add the same spark he gave Boston last year. He’s a veteran guy who was snubbed of an all-star vote and was at the top among defensemen in plus/minus. This preseason, however, the Bruins have not seen much of Chara, who’s been sidelined with a groin injury and was out during the Columbus loss on Tuesday. However, the Bruins expect him to be 100 percent come the start of the regular season to lead the defense and help elevate the play of young defensemen like Matt Hunwick.

Let’s not forget the Bruins gave up the least amount of goals in the NHL last year. The big reason for this was their ability to play two-way hockey and their depth at defenseman. The Bruins already addressed that with the signing of defenseman Derek Morris. He gives the Bruins the ability to move the puck quicker in transition, allowing Chara to stay in the middle of the action and assume his usual enforcer role.

On the offensive side of the puck, this preseason the big question is who will step up to put the “biscuit in the basket” for the Bruins. Kessel’s 36 goals from a year ago leave some big skates to fill. Marco Sturm should help the cause as he’ll be back from injury and will start the season as one of Boston’s top players. The guy knows how to get open and has veteran experience to be one of the B’s top scorers this season.

My rising star for this year’s team is forward Blake Wheeler. Wheeler was the Most Valuable Player of the Young Stars game during the all-star break and had 45 points in 81 games. He’s a fast skater that can easily score thirty goals this year especially if he gets the chance to work with Patrice Bergeron or Marc Savard, two guys who are notorious set-up men for big plays.

We should also expect big things from power forward Milan Lucic. Although he hasn’t put up outstanding numbers offensively, 17 goals and 25 assists last season, he brings a style of play the Bruins haven’t seen since the late 80’s and early 90’s; a forward who can make plays and leave a mark with his physicality and glass shattering hits. Just ask Toronto’s Mike Van Ryn. Expect Lucic to bring the same amount of toughness but more productivity as far as goals. This preseason he has been on the front line with Marc Savard and Marco Sturm and will be successful with these two playmakers. The Bruins feel Lucic has the potential to be the next Cam Neely, and who better to help his cause than Savard, the Adam Oates of Lucic’s Neely. The Bruins leader in points a year ago is one of the best passers in the league and will produce again for Boston.

All in all, this year’s Bruins have a chance to make a run at the cup. The team is deep with young talent on both sides of the puck and will not forget the way they exited last year’s playoffs. The black and gold know the bulls-eye will be on them in the east after finishing first overall in the regular season. As long as they stay healthy, the Bruins will make it well into the playoffs. At the end, I’d expect the Bruins to be somewhere in the two through four position along with Philadelphia and the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, with Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals taking the top seed. This is the first year in quite some time there is more than just a dull roar for the Bruins to begin the season and expect the TD garden to be rockin’ when the Bruins open the season on Oct. 1 when the B’s open up against the Capitals.

Popularity: 7% [?]