Oddsmakers get honest about Bruins playoff chances in 2023-24

Regular season success means absolutely nothing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as the Boston Bruins cruelly found out this past spring.

The Bruins, who broke multiple records during a historic 2022-23 regular season that saw them capture the title of winningest team ever with 65 victories, didn't even reach 1/4 of the necessary 16 victories needed to win the Stanley Cup. 

The Florida Panthers, whom most fans and pundits didn't even think could win a single game against the Bruins, gave new meaning to the term underdog by taking down Boston in a thrilling seven game series (that they originally trailed in three games to one) capped by a Game 7 overtime win. Carter Verhaeghe's snipe past goaltender Jeremy Swayman at 8:35 of the extra session brought an unceremonious and, in the words of commentator Jack Edwards, "Hindenburg-like" ending to what should have been a championship run. 

Since then, major changes have occurred with the official retirement of Patrice Bergeron, the impending retirement of David Krejci, the trades of Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno, and the departures of trade deadline acquisitions Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitri Orlov. Needless to say, the Bruins team that hits the ice this fall will be much different than the squad who skated off the TD Garden ice in April after their shocking defeat by Florida. 

But what are the chances that they return to the playoffs in 2024? According to one major online sports better, the chances are still very good that the Bruins will at least be one of the 16 teams to qualify for the annual dance. Per BetOnline.org, the Bruins are currently listed as having an 80% chance to being a postseason team at -400. 

Arriving in town are the likes of James van Riemsdyk as well as former fan favorite Milan Lucic, both of whom agreed to one year, $1 million deals. Additionally, Morgan Geekie,  Jesper Boqvist and Kevin Shattenkirk are also new in town. 

Will Boston make a return to the postseason in 2024?