Bruins Preview: Kings Aim to Bounce Back After Playoff Sweep
The Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings both enter the 2026-27 season after first-round playoff exits. The Kings finished with 90 points and were swept by Colorado, while the Bruins had 100 points and lost to Buffalo. The article previews the Kings' roster changes, including the retirement of Anze Kopitar and new additions like Mats Zuccarello.
The Kings' offseason was defined by transition, most notably the retirement of franchise cornerstone Anze Kopitar, leaving the captaincy vacant for the first time in years. General Manager Ken Holland responded by adding veteran forwards Mats Zuccarello, Corey Perry, and Erik Haula, while locking up young defenseman Brandt Clarke to an extension. Los Angeles also restocked its pipeline with 11 draft picks, headlined by first-round forward Elton Hermansson.
Despite a 90-point season, the Kings struggled to score against Boston specifically, dropping both meetings by identical 2-1 overtime scores. Their 20 regulation losses in overtime or shootouts last season highlighted a persistent inability to close tight games, a weakness they will need to address under head coach Peter Laviolette to avoid another early playoff exit.
This preview reflects the broader competitive churn in the NHL, where aging franchises must balance immediate contention with long-term rebuilding. The Kings' post-Kopitar transition could serve as a case study for teams facing similar generational shifts, affecting fan engagement and roster strategy league-wide. For Boston, the two overtime wins underscore how narrow margins separate playoff teams, suggesting that small roster tweaks may carry outsized weight in determining postseason fates this season.