The all-time NHL regular season win record has been matched by the Boston Bruins, as their 2-1 victory over New Jersey Devils on Saturday night took them to 62 wins for the campaign.
The Bruins have enjoyed a record-breaking season in the NHL, and could now set a new all-time record if they can pick up just one win in their remaining three games. But for now they can comfortably say they're among the three best teams of all-time after a brace from Pavel Zacha on the night, matching the record of 62 regular season wins that's only ever been achieved twice throughout history.
The record for most wins in a season (62) was set in 1995/96 by the Detroit Red Wings before it was later matched in 2018/19 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins are now level with both of those historic sides, but still have three more games to not only beat the record, but make it unassailable.
"We always want to go and play well, obviously," said goaltender Linus Ullmark after the record-breaking win. "Now we’re lucky enough to say that we played well enough for 62 times. There’s still three more games and we’re still believing in ourselves."
"The energy in the building was unreal," added head coach Jim Montgomery. "It was great right from the start. Our fans are awesome."
The Bruins have been dominant all season, breaking records along the way while they look to win their first Stanley Cup since the 2010/11 campaign. However, they'll have to break history again if they wish to lift the trophy, as both the Red Wings and Lightning failed to do so in their record-breaking regular seasons.
But this Boston side are different, and could easily be looked back on as one of the greatest teams in history. Sure, they might not have players in the Wayne Gretzky or Alex Ovechkin category just yet, but as a team they work brilliantly and never know when they're beaten.
The Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to achieve 50 wins this season, and also set a new best time for reaching 100 points. They're now on 129, and could also break the points record which currently sits at 132 following an 80-game season from the Montreal Canadiens in 1976/77.
One record they won't break is goal differential, as incredibly the Canadiens finished with +216 in the statement 76/77 campaign. No one has come close since, and it's unlikely anyone ever will again.
David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron have given it a good go, as they have been in sublime form all season. But it's also their defence has also set them apart from the rest. The Bruins are the only team to concede less than 200 goals in the season so far, and they've only been outscored by the Edmonton Oilers.
With an offensive line including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, that's hardly surprising. But the Bruins won't care about that, as they'll focus on setting a new NHL best before going for the Stanley Cup.
