By: Tom Calautti | @TCalauttis
The Atlantic Division is deadlocked, and the Boston Bruins are smack-dab in a grueling race for the postseason. If the Black and Gold are serious about making a run to the playoffs, they’re going to need to find a way to separate from the rest of the pack. There may be no better month to do that than December.
Boston currently sits one point out of a playoff spot with a record of 15-13 (30 points) on the season. The 2025-26 campaign has had its share of highs and lows, but for the most part, the Bruins have treaded water across a demanding schedule. If they’re going to find their footing and establish themselves in the division and conference, they need to take advantage of the December slate.
The Bruins have exactly 14 games on the agenda this month, with seven contests at home and seven on the road. They dropped their first contest in Detroit last night, but will have plenty of other opportunities to cash points before the New Year.
Two of the Bruins’ games this month come against old friend Jimmy Montgomery and the struggling St. Louis Blues. Monty’s squad currently sits at 9-11-7 and is just three points off of last place in the league. They’re one of the few teams in the league that is under .500 both at and on the road. Given the scenario in St. Louis, four points are a must to get back on track.
In between the Blues games, Boston will take on an ailing New Jersey Devils team, which lost star center Jack Hughes to a hand injury back in mid-November. Since then, New Jersey is 3-5 and is struggling to beat competitive teams. It’s no easy feat, but Boston should be able to squeeze out points against the short-handed Devils.
Boston will hit the road for a tough test against the surging Minnesota Wild (8-0-2 in their last 10) before taking on a depleted Winnipeg Jets squad. All-world goaltender Connor Hellebuyck underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on November 22, and since then, the Jets are 1-5 in their last six games.
After that, Boston will return to TD Garden to face a skidding Utah Mammoth squad. After a hot start to the season, Utah is currently riding a four-game losing streak and has a disappointing 5-9-2 road record. That game is another opportunity to capitalize on a scuffling team.
The only other team the Black and Gold play twice in December is the Edmonton Oilers, who are currently 11-11-5. With Edmonton struggling to find its game and Boston (hopefully) getting some bodies back by the end of the month, a split in these contests is a must.
The Bruins will then welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Boston. Vancouver is tied for the second-worst point total in hockey (23) and is reportedly considering selling off major pieces. There’s blood in the water with this team, and that means the Bruins must capitalize.
Boston has two tough contests against division rivals, Ottawa and Montreal, before hitting the road to play the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo is a much better team at home than on the road, but they’re another cellar-dweller that good teams can topple.
The month ends with a trip out to Western Canada, where the Black and Gold will face the Calgary Flames before their rematch with Edmonton. Calgary is dead last in the league with a 9-15-4 record and only 22 points in the year. This is another opportunity Boston cannot afford to let slip.
With the way the Bruins’ roster is currently constructed, there are no easy games or layups. That being said, when the softer part of your schedule rolls around, you need to take advantage, especially when trying to stay afloat in the Atlantic. Boston will need to maximize its point total, and December may be the best month to do so.
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