Bruins begin 2025-26 season with new coach and retooled defense

The Boston Bruins open the 2025-26 NHL season Wednesday night in Washington, beginning a campaign built around a new coach, a revised system and a roster in the early stages of a retooling. After a 33-39-10 finish a year ago, the organization is emphasizing defensive structure, improved special teams and health up front and on the blue line as it attempts to reestablish its competitive identity at TD Garden and on the road.

Marco Sturm, in his first season behind the bench, has stressed process over immediate results. "I want to see growth. I want to see us come together," he said after the team's final practice before the opener. "Not just one day, not just one period. But very, very consistent." The Bruins’ early schedule offers a mix of manageable home stands and taxing road trips that could test that consistency. After the opener, Boston returns home for three straight games before facing a difficult October swing through Las Vegas, Colorado and Utah. November and December bring a sequence of rivalry games and long travel, while March and April include back-to-backs and a late stretch of important home dates that could shape playoff positioning.