The Boston Bruins are kicking off the 2025-26 NHL season with a bang, racking up three straight wins against the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Buffalo Sabres for a flawless start. This strong opening is a marked contrast to the previous season’s struggles and has been fueled by a collective commitment to a new team identity.

According to the NHL, with new head coach Marco Sturm at the helm, the Bruins are getting back to their classic style of play. The coach pointed this out himself, mentioning how opponents react when they face the team: “As an opponent, when they come in, they’re like, ‘Okay, oh [expletive], those are the Boston Bruins. They’re going to pound pucks and go hard on pucks, they’re going to do it again.’”

Sturm has really focused on this foundational mindset ever since he came on board. Right from the start, he laid out a straightforward vision focused on solid defense, fast transitions, and a tough, physical approach. The aim was to bring back a strong identity for a team that had strayed off course. Sturm and the team leadership expressed a wish for rivals to mark their calendars for games against Boston and think, “Oh damn, we have to play them tonight,” just like President Cam Neely has always mentioned.

You can already see the effects of this cultural shift on the ice. Players have shared their thoughts on the new vibe within the team and how everyone was on board right from the start of training camp.

Even the coach has mentioned this before, saying, “We’re a family. That’s what family [does], we support each other, we help each other. That was our message. I think that you guys, we feel it, the crowd, I think they can see it. Does it always end up with a win? No. But it doesn’t matter what’s going to happen. We want to stick together. That’s our identity, going back to identity, that’s what we want to have. And it’s fun playing that way.”

The Bruins are really putting in the effort with hard work, solid defense, and a team-focused approach. It’s not just about piling up the wins; they’re also working on bringing back that fierce identity that’s always been a big part of who they are. Even the Bruins GM was pretty serious when he first brought Sturm onto the team.

The Boston Bruins selected the perfect man for the job

After the collapse, the Boston Bruins’ front office got right to work in the offseason to address the franchise’s identity crisis, bringing Marco Sturm on as head coach in June. Sturm, a former Bruins player and a fan favorite, was the head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign. He also guided Team Germany to a surprising silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

When he joined the team, GM Don Sweeney had some thoughts to share, saying, “It was a pivotal moment for our franchise, and to learn about reshaping our team. To go through the process of hiring a coach who was committed to reestablishing and renewing our identity. To hiring a coach that was committed to playing with structure. To have an understanding of player development. To value communication and culture within our locker room. To understanding the game has evolved offensively.”

The Bruins were looking for someone who could earn respect in the locker room and bring some fresh energy to the bench. Sturm’s resume definitely mentioned that. So, the new coach shared some honest thoughts about his coaching style, saying, “I mean, I think I think I coach exactly the same way I play. I’m very honest. I am a hard-working guy. That’s why I show up. I show up early at the rink in the morning now as a coach because I want to be prepared, right? I want to set the tone every day for my guys and for my coaches. That’s who I am. I’m trying to show and also be direct, you know, with my guys and be honest and go from there.”

That’s exactly why he turned out to be the ideal choice! Sturm has always been really straightforward about his work on ice. Even though the Bruins are off to a great start this season, the coach is keeping things grounded. For sure, only time will reveal what’s in store for Boston in the days ahead. Can they actually make a comeback to being the top team they used to be?