The Boston Bruins were at full strength coming into the 2025-26 season with some life, but an early injury could derail the hot start.

Here's a look at five players to keep an eye on tonight at TD Garden... WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 08: Morgan Geekie #39 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the first period. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Once perennial contenders and trade deadline buyers on the backs of one of the best core groups in recent NHL history, the Boston Bruins have entered new territory as a team trying to accumulate young talent and build back toward contention.

Marco Sturm’s start to life as an NHL coach may not have gotten off to the most ideal start, but the Boston Bruins still won 3-1 against the Washington Capitals in their season-opener. The Bruins were under stern pressure from the Capitals throughout as Jeremy Swayman produced 35 saves to hold down the win.

Also: Geekie scores more goals, another Bruins trade, Hampus Lindolm makes Team Sweden and Peeke gets an extension.

The Boston Bruins face the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025 (10/8/25) in an NHL regular season game at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C..

Boston Bruins Team President Cam Neely called it “piss and vinegar”. Some others might call it “jam” or “being hard to play against”. Whatever the label for this edition of the Bruins, the early returns show a team constructed to make NHL clubs circle the Bruins on the calendar as a physical,

Vegas situation was an anomaly. Teams are much more likely to win out by hitting on the draft, as evidenced by Connor McDavid in Edmonton.

The Bruins got the news they wanted as the NHL waiver deadline passed ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season.

David Pastrnak will do everything possible to keep the Bruins in the playoff hunt, but the B's need more contributions down the line to push for the postseason.