By: Joe Ballway, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

With 2009 drawing to a close, the time has come to reflect on what has been a roller-coaster decade in the Hub of Hockey. In honor of the successful, and even the embattled, Bruins teams of the past ten years, I decided to rank each one from worst to best:
10) 2004-2005 (Lockout)

Hey, a bad season is better than no season, right?
9) 2005-2006 (29-37-16, 74 points, 5th in Northeast, 13th in Eastern Conference)

Ah, the twilight of the Mike O’Connell era. It’s difficult to determine which of the first two post-lockout seasons was worse, but this one seemed all the more putrid because of the expectations heading into it. The Bruins were supposed to build off their successful ‘03-04 campaign: 104 points, a division title, and a Calder-worthy performance from Andrew Raycroft. O’Connell pegged the B’s as surefire contenders, delivering a confident endorsement prior to training camp:
“This team, the way it’s set up with the rule changes, I think that we have to be considered one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup.”
The Bruins proceeded to burst out of the gate like that kid at practice who hops onto the ice with his skate guards still on, [...]

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 [...]