BOSTON -- Despite all the issues the Boston Bruins had last season, they finished within two points of a Stanley Cup Playoff berth.
A win here or there, especially if they fared better than 4-10 in shootouts, and the Bruins would have extended their postseason streak to eight seasons. Instead, they went home at the end of the regular season for the first time since 2007.
The Bruins are banking on a few new faces in the lineup to get them back in the playoffs.
30 IN 30: BOSTON BRUINS
Here are four reasons the Bruins should be optimistic:
Tuukka Rask remains an elite goalie: The 2013-14 Vezina Trophy winner didn't match his superb season in 2014-15, but he was very good.