BRUINS START GIVES REASON FOR OPTIMISM

The 2007-08 season ended just how we all expected it to: with a loss in the playoffs to Montreal. But there was reason for hope as the Bruins skated off the ice dejectedly, after losing 5-0 to their arch-rivals in the seventh and deciding game of the first round last April 21. Claude Julien's team had actually exceeded expectation just by reaching the post season, without nearly staging a dramatic upset against the best team in the Eastern Conference.

So there was reason for cautious optimism as the black and gold laced 'em up for the first time in the 2008-09 season last week. Through their first five games, Boston is a solid 2-1-2 with six points heading into action against the Sabres tonight in western New York. The Bruins have already won in two places they usually struggle, Ottawa and Colorado, and have at least one point in four of their five games despite playing all but one away from TD Banknorth Garden.

The biggest bright spot in the early going has to be the play of young winger Phil Kessel. Drafted 5th overall by Boston in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Kessel had a disappointing '07 campaign, which culminated with Julien benching him for games two, three, and four against the Canadiens. Kessel has scored five goals in the B's five games thus far, including two in Ottawa last Saturday night. Kessel, who has been flying high to start the year, seems less hesitant to dig in the corners, and has back checked masterfully thus far. If the Bruins are going to make the playoffs for a second straight year, Kessel is going to have to continue his tremendous offensive work.

Patrice Bergeron's return is another significant storyline for the Bruins in '08. Bergeron, who missed 72 games a year ago with post-concussion syndrome after a vicious cheap shot from Flyers defenseman Randy Jones, is one of the team's best scoring threats, an area the B's struggled mightily in last season. Bergeron, who netted 31 goals in 2005 and another 22 in 2006, is one of the Bruins top offensive weapons to go along with Kessel, Marco Sturm, and center Marc Savard, who's five goals this season put him tied for fourth in the NHL (along with Kessel).

The Bruins face Buffalo tonight, then come home for Toronto and Atlanta before embarking on a road trip to western Canada next week. If the black and gold can keep putting the puck in the net, there is no reason to think they won't be playing into April and beyond once again.