The dust has settled and hockey is right around the corner. With the Bruins adding new pieces to the roster, there is a lot to look forward to during the 2024-25 regular season. Every team has its X-factors, so here are three for the Boston Bruins entering the 2024-25 season.
Joonas Korpisalo
You might be thinking to yourself how a backup goalie can be an X-factor. Looking around the league, we can see other teams that have two reliable netminders. Jonathan Quick was great for the New York Rangers, as he gave Igor Shesterkin a much-needed break and delivered wins. With Ilya Sorokin struggling for the New York Islanders, Semyon Varlamov stepped up big time. This is the same thing the Bruins experienced the last three seasons.
The Bruins have set a trend for goaltender usage and that’s because they’ve had two reliable ones. Whether it was Jeremy Swayman or Linus Ullmark, the Bruins always had a chance to win. With Ullmark gone, the Bruins will need to have Joonas Korpisalo step to the forefront.
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Swayman has yet to shoulder a full season’s workload, but is up for the challenge. Although, in order for the team to not run its prized young goaltender into the ground, they’ll need Korpisalo to deliver when called upon.
Having two reliable goalies is a luxury and is crucial over an 82-game season. Being able to provide rest for your starter is crucial come playoff time so he doesn’t run out of steam. Korpisalo is coming off his worst statistical season with a 3.27 goals against average (GAA) and a .890 save percentage (SV%). Also, his negative-16.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx) was second-worst in the league among goalies who started 10-plus games.
While Swayman was one of the best goalies during the 2023-24 season, they’ll need him to replicate that success. But if Korpisalo can come in and shut the door and play well above his 2023-24 season, he will be a huge difference maker during the regular season.
Elias Lindholm
This might be the biggest X-factor for the Bruins during the 2024-25 season. With general manager Don Sweeney searching for center depth, he landed the biggest fish on the market. Pavel Zacha has been good for the Bruins since coming over in a trade from the New Jersey Devils. However, he is better suited for the wing and the keys to the top line have been passed on to Lindholm.
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