Boston Bruins: Everything you need to know before playoffs begin

The Boston Bruins have lost three of their last four games but hold a commanding league in the presidents’ Trophy competition for the league's best record.

Not only do the Bruins hold the league’s best record, but they're still on track to set an all-time NHL single-season win record. The Bruins bought big at the NHL trade deadline to solidify their presence as the league’s top team, and for the most part, that worked.

Here’s a look at where the Boston Bruins stand as they contend for the NHL playoffs:

Forwards

The Boston Bruins forward group is elite. David Pastrnak may be the most talented true scorer in the entire league, and the Bruins made sure to lock him up long-term at the NHL trade deadline. Everyone knows the grit and tenacity brought by Brad Marchand and the top tier center play brought by Patrice Bergeron.

The Bruins bought a sack of Magic Beans at the NHL trade deadline by acquiring both Tyler Bertuzzi and Garnet Hathaway. Both have provided immediate dividends as goalscorers and gritty players for the Bruins in their short time in Boston.

Defensemen

The Boston Bruins have assembled a literal brick wall on their blue line after the NHL trade deadline.

Say your first line is on the ice, well then, you're getting defended by Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk. Your second line? Well they’re up against Dmitry Orlov and Hampus Lindholm. Your third line? Derek Forbort and Conner Clifton.

That type of blueline depth is unseen anywhere else in the NHL. The Boston Bruins' greatest strength is their defense, and their forward group has fed off of it all season.

The Bruins defense might be the strongest single unit in the entire league, and it will take a mastermind of a coach to solve it in the playoffs.

Goalies

The Boston Bruins have the best goalie tandem in the NHL, and that has shown all season.

The Bruins have two goaltenders who could both be legitimate Vezina contenders and have the resume to boot. As far as backup goalies are concerned, Jeremy Swayman is dynamite. The Bruins haven’t asked for much, and Swayman has given the Bruins a .913 save percentage and a 2.37 GAA.

Linus Ullmark is a real Vezina contender. The Bruins goaltender is averaging a top two save percentage in the NHL and a GAA of 1.97. The Bruins goaltenders will make the difference between a good regular season team and a true championship contender.