From 2008-2024, winning was a normal thing for the Boston Bruins. The Bruins made the playoffs every year but two years, and were in Stanley Cup conversation during the 17-year span.
From 2017-2024, the Bruins were in the playoffs every year. In the final three years of that span, Linus Ullmark was on the Bruins. In 2023, the Bruins not only saw a tremendous Vezina Trophy season from Ullmark, but also were statistically the best team in NHL history with 135 points.
However, after the 2023-24 season, the Bruins traded Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. The Bruins received Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic and a 2024 first-round draft pick in the trade from the Senators.
Even without Ullmark entering this season, the Bruins were still looked at as a talented team that can do damage, and the Senators weren't viewed as a top team in the Atlantic Division. However, times have certainly changed for the two teams this season in a way not many people saw coming.
Bruins finish last in Atlantic Division, will watch Ullmark and Sens in 2025 playoffs
Excluding the 2020-21 season which was 56 games and the Bruins finished with 73 points that season, the 2024-25 season is the first time since the 2006-07 season that the Bruins finished with under 80 points and didn't qualify for the playoffs.
Now, the Bruins will watch Ullmark and the Senators in the 2025 playoffs. After losing 5-4 in overtime last night to the New Jersey Devils, the Bruins finished this season with 76 points to finish as the worst team in the Atlantic Division.
The Bruins currently sit with the worst record in the Eastern Conference, but the Philadelphia Flyers could fall to the worst team in the Eastern Conference if they lose in regulation tomorrow night against the Buffalo Sabres.
Finishing the worst team in the division and potentially the worst team in the Eastern Conference was something not many people saw coming in Boston. The Bruins seeing Ullmark and the Senators have success would only make things worse.
While playing in 43 games with 42 of them started, Ullmark's first season was a success. Despite dealing with some injury issues and some inconsistencies this season, Ullmark has posted a 24-14-3 record with a 2.67 goals against average, .911 save percentage and three shutouts.
Ullmark's former goaltending partner Jeremy Swayman had the pressure of being the Bruins' top goaltender with Ullmark in Ottawa. Swayman saw some struggles this season in his first season as the Bruins' new top goaltender on the depth chart.
Swayman finished the 2024-25 season with a 22-29-7 record along with a 3.11 goals against average and .892 save percentage. A huge down year in his first season as the Bruins' top goaltender. Ullmark turned Ottawa into a playoff team while Swayman was a part to Boston's downgrade this season.
Ullmark started two games against the Bruins this season and won them both. In the Senators-Bruins game on March 13, Ullmark made arguably the save of the season against his old team.
LINUS ULLMARK WITH AN INCREDIBLE DIVING SAVE! 😱 pic.twitter.com/JJ16s4v5Pl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 14, 2025
In just two years, the Bruins went from being the best team in NHL history statically with Ullmark, to missing the playoffs and now will watch Ullmark play for the Senators in the 2025 playoffs. The Senators will play the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.