2010-11 Record: 42-29-11, 95 points (5th Pacific Division; 9th Western Conference; did not qualify for playoffs)
Bruins record vs. Stars: Boston leads the all-time series 74-27-23-2, and the Bruins won the only meeting last year in a memorable affair at the Garden on Feb. 3. That game began with three fights in the first four seconds before the Bruins went on to a 6-3 win.
When to watch: There could be more fireworks in store as the Bruins head to Dallas for a New Year's Eve party on Saturday, Dec. 31, in the clubs' lone meeting of the season.
Familiar faces: The trip to Dallas will give the Bruins a chance to catch up with old friend Michael Ryder, who cashed in on his strong playoff performance with a two-year, $7-million deal with the Stars. Former Bruin netminder Andrew Raycroft is also in Dallas, while the Stars drafted former Northeastern University defenseman Jamie Oleksiak in the first round this June.
Key additions: F Michael Ryder (free agent); F Radek Dvorak (free agent); D Adam Pardy (free agent); F Vernon Fiddler (free agent); F Jake Dowell (free agent); F Eric Godard (free agent); D Sheldon Souray (free agent)
Key losses: F Brad Richards (signed with NY Rangers); F Jamie Langenbrunner (signed with St. Louis); D Jeff Woywitka (signed with Montreal); F Jason Williams (signed with Pittsburgh); F Brian Sutherby (free agent); D Karlis Skrastins (free agent)
Burning question: How will the Stars replace Richards?
Dallas doesn't have anyone who can replace what the offense lost with Richards' departure on his own. Richards led the Stars last year with 28-49-77 totals in 72 games. Mike Ribiero wasn't far behind at 19-52-71, but now he'll be facing the opposition's top checking forwards and shutdown defensemen as the club's No. 1 center. He'll have to prove he can fight through more checks while still maintaining that level of production. The Stars will also need continued improvement from center Jamie Benn (22-34-56) and will hope that agitator Steve Ott can get back to his 2009-10 form — when he scored 22 goals — after he managed just 12 last year.
2011-12 outlook: The Stars' centers will benefit from a solid corps of wingers to work with. Loui Eriksson (27-46-73) is one of the most underrated players in the league, while Brenden Morrow (33-23-56) supplies a healthy dose of scoring along with his leadership and physical play. Newcomer Ryder (18-23-41 in regular season and 8-9-17 in the playoffs) gives Dallas another weapon on the wing. The Stars are hoping Sheldon Souray can add some offense from the blue line after being relegated to the AHL last year. The three-time All-Star scored 23 goals as recently as 2008-09. Preventing goals will fall to goalie Kari Lehtonen, who was 34-24-11 with a 2.55 GAA and a .914 save percentage last year.
Did you know? The Bruins and Stars don't meet often, but they have produced some memorable clashes in recent years. The last two meetings in Boston have been particularly combative, with the clubs combining for 146 penalty minutes, seven misconducts and three fights in a 5-1 Bruins win on Nov. 1, 2008, and another 89 PIMs, four fights (three in the first four seconds) and a major penalty to Daniel Paille that drew a four-game suspension in their only meeting last year. By comparison, the last matchup in Dallas produced just four minor penalties in a 3-0 Boston win on Oct. 16, 2009. Maybe the animosity in Boston traces all the way back to the Stars' days in Minnesota, when John Wensink challenged the entire North Stars bench but got no takers. No one turned down fights when the clubs met again on Feb. 26, 1981, as Boston and Minnesota combined for an NHL record 406 penalty minutes that night.
With the bulk of the offseason moves complete and the start of another NHL season inching closer, NESN.com Bruins beat writer Douglas Flynn will be previewing one team from each conference every day through August 26.
Wednesday, August 17: Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks
Friday, August 19: Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings
