(Photo Credits: Charles Krupa / AP Photo)

By: Chad Jones | Follow me on Twitter/X @ShutUpChadJones

12 games into the 2026-2027 season, the Boston Bruins own the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Bruins have corralled 19 points by putting together a record of 9-2-1. Boston has been producing in different facets of the game.

Both Jeremy Swayman and Michael DePietro have been outstanding between the pipes. The deep defensive core has been sturdy, especially since Charlie McAvoy has returned to the lineup. But one of Boston’s biggest bright spots has been the forwards’ play.

For many years now, the Bruins have been starved for secondary scoring. David Pastrnak routinely puts up 100-point campaigns, but far too often there have been significant holes in Boston’s attack. If opponents dialed in on stopping, or at least effectively slowed down the dynamic winger, the rest of the Bruins forwards would often be unable to rise to the challenge.

But so far this season, Boston’s offensive output has been very balanced. Multiple lines are chipping in each game. It has been rare for all four trios to be held down for the entire 60 minutes.

The young skaters have really thrived. Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and James Hagens have all had terrific starts to their campaigns. They are consistently using their energy, speed, and offensive repertoires to fire pucks at goaltenders, set up teammates, and find the back of the net. The three forwards have combined for 12 goals so far.

The Boston veterans are also consistently putting their names on the stat sheet. Pastrnak has been up to his usual brilliance, already with 17 points thanks to seven lamplighters and ten helpers.

While Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha have not been lighting up goaltenders, they are both getting the puck to teammates in prime scoring areas. Geekie is second on Boston with eight assists. Once he finds the shooting touch he has displayed the past two seasons, Boston’s offensive attack will be that much more dangerous.

12 Boston skaters have potted at least two goals so far. And 18 players have picked up two assists or more.

While Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm is not afraid to mix up line combinations, he’s been pushing the right buttons on when to keep a line intact and when to shuffle the deck. Recently, Elias Lindholm’s third line, centering Casey Mittelstadt and Hagens, has been finding the back of the net.

The fourth line has also gotten in on the action. Matthew Poitras refuses to leave the lineup, as he has picked up seven points in 9 games.

Over an 84-game season, NHL teams must find scoring throughout their lineup. It is too much of an ask to only rely on one line or a couple of skaters to do all the heavy lifting.

In the playoffs, deep teams that can produce offense on each line win rounds. They become difficult to defend and can impose their will on opponents by attacking in waves. The Bruins will need to keep up this scoring balance to have a successful season. This must remain a strength for Boston as the year goes on.