Heading into this season, the Boston Bruins had a laundry list of improvements needed to be competitive in the Eastern Conference in 2025-26. At the top of that list was special teams and secondary scoring, two areas that really struggled in 2024-25. So far, the Bruins have made massive strides in both areas. Here’s a look.
The Bruins’ power play was abysmal last season. Their 15.2% success rate ranked 29th in the league, ahead of only the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and Anaheim Ducks. Their offense was generally mediocre last season, but the power play, in particular, never gained any momentum and was a major reason why they couldn’t keep pace in the Atlantic.
Despite not adding a big-name forward in free agency this summer, this has been a major area of improvement so far this season. With a power play success rate of 25.8% heading into Friday’s games, they rank sixth in the league, thanks to solid production from Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak, who lead the way with four power-play goals each.
The penalty kill has been another area of improvement under new head coach Marco Sturm. Last season, the Bruins had a disappointing 76.3% success rate on the penalty kill, ranked 24th in the league. That figure has improved to 80.3% this season, putting them 15th.
A large reason for the poor penalty killing performance in 2024-25 was injuries to the blue line, so some improvement was expected; however, new faces in the lineup, such as Sean Kuraly, have also made a meaningful impact on that front. Though they have not scored a shorthanded goal yet, the Bruins have looked more confident and aggressive shorthanded this season.
Secondary scoring has been another major area of improvement. Only four players who ended the 2024-25 season on the Bruins’ roster recorded more than 40 points. Eight members of the 2025-26 team are on pace for more than 40 points through 19 games. Outside of Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, and Brad Marchand, no member of the Bruins scored more than 17 goals last season; the Bruins have seven players on pace to eclipse that mark this season.
Given that general manager Don Sweeney did not go out and sign an elite scorer during the offseason, the Bruins’ recipe for a serviceable offense is to rely on continued scoring from players like Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Michael Eyssimont, and Casey Mittelstadt, while also relying heavily on Pastrnak and Geekie to provide some star power and consistency. Whether the contributions from these depth players continue remains to be seen, nit they are off to an undeniably impressive start.
Thanks to improved special teams and secondary scoring, the Bruins are significantly better than expected already this season. Without a ton of offensive star power, they will need to remain consistent on special teams. We saw last season that Pastrnak and Geekie, as great as they are, cannot be the only source of offense, so continued contribution from the rest of the lineup is also an absolute must.
Combining all this with solid play in net might be the winning formula for the Bruins this season, and it has worked for them so far. Just about a quarter of the way into the season, they sit tied at the top of the Atlantic with the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators, something very few would have predicted just two months ago.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is making one thing crystal clear — his focus is squarely on the task at hand with the Chiefs, despite recent speculation about a possible return to the New York Giants. Spagnuolo, who has been a key figure in the Chiefs’ defensive success, addressed the rumors head-on, reaffirming his commitment to the Chiefs and their pursuit of another Super Bowl title.
“I’m focused on the job at hand here with the Chiefs. We’ve got a championship defense to build, and that’s my full attention,” Spagnuolo said in a recent interview. “All the speculation doesn’t change my approach. If the Giants come calling, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Spagnuolo’s statement comes amid growing chatter about potential coaching changes around the NFL, including the possibility of him returning to the Giants, where he served as defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2017, helping lead the team to two Super Bowl titles. However, Spagnuolo made it clear that, for now, his focus is solely on the Chiefs and their goal of building a championship-caliber defense.
The Chiefs’ defense has seen significant improvement under Spagnuolo’s leadership, becoming one of the most formidable units in the league. With playmakers like Chris Jones, Nick Bolton, and a young and talented secondary, the Chiefs are poised to compete for another Super Bowl title. Spagnuolo’s experience and ability to adapt his schemes to fit his players’ strengths have been key to the defense’s success.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Spagnuolo said. “Our goal is to be the best defense in the league, and I’m focused on making that happen. There’s a lot of talent here, and I’m excited about the direction we’re heading.”
His focus on continuous improvement reflects his long-standing approach to coaching — always striving for excellence and never resting on past achievements.
While Spagnuolo has been a vital part of the Chiefs’ coaching staff since 2019, his tenure with the Giants holds a special place in his career. During his time in New York, Spagnuolo helped shape the Giants’ defense into one of the league’s most feared units, and his success in the Big Apple is part of what fuels the ongoing speculation about his potential return.
Despite the buzz surrounding his name, Spagnuolo remains grounded and committed to his current role with the Chiefs. He understands the nature of the business and the rumors that often swirl around coaching positions. However, he is quick to remind everyone that his current focus is on the Chiefs and their defense’s development.
“Speculation is part of the job,” Spagnuolo explained. “But right now, I’m fully invested in what we’re building here in Kansas City. My responsibility is to this team, and that’s where my attention lies.”
With the Chiefs’ defense continuing to evolve and improve, Spagnuolo’s leadership will be crucial as the team heads into the second half of the season. As the Chiefs continue to vie for the top spot in the AFC, the defense will play a pivotal role in their playoff hopes. Spagnuolo’s ability to scheme against high-powered offenses and make in-game adjustments has been a key factor in the Chiefs’ success over the past few years.
As for the rumors surrounding his future, Spagnuolo’s message is clear: the only thing that matters right now is the Chiefs’ pursuit of a championship. For Spagnuolo, it’s not about looking ahead to potential coaching changes or speculation — it’s about preparing his defense to be as dominant as possible and helping the Chiefs win another Super Bowl.
“We’ve got a great team here,” Spagnuolo said. “My focus is on making sure we’re ready to compete at the highest level. That’s what I’m most excited about.”
As the Chiefs continue their march toward the postseason, one thing is for sure: Steve Spagnuolo is locked in and committed to helping lead the Chiefs’ defense to glory.