THN.com/podcast. Defenseman Dimitry Orlov high-fives his new teammates after scoring his third goal in four games since the Boston Bruins traded for him. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MjYwOTM0Njk4NjczNDU2/usatsi_20128333.jpg] Defenseman Dimitry Orlov high-fives his new teammates after scoring his third goal in four games since the Boston Bruins traded for him. The 2022-23 Boston Bruins have something historic going for them. As the clock ticked to zero on a 7-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres, the Bruins became the fastest team in NHL history to cross the 100-point mark. They accomplished the feat in 61 games with their 48th win. Boston's victory brought them to 101 points (48-8-5), 15 ahead of the second-place Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins surpassed their longtime rival to the north, the Montreal Canadiens, who got to 100 points in just one more game in 1976-77. The one difference between the two is the Canadiens never got extra time in the regular season to settle a tie. Between 1942-43 and 1983-84 [https://records.nhl.com/history/historical-rule-changes], the NHL did not have regular-season overtime. Montreal's 1976-77 squad still holds one major record that this season's Bruins are trying to chase down – the most points in a season all-time. With 60 wins, eight losses and 12 ties, the Habs finished with 132 points. The Bruins have 21 games to get 32 points and set a new all-time high. Right now, they're on pace for 135. With a .828 points percentage, the Bruins also currently hold the third-best points percentage in NHL history, behind the 1929-30 Bruins' .875 and the 1943-44 Canadiens' .830. The Bruins have the 14th easiest schedule in the NHL for the rest of the regular season, according to tankathon.com [https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/remaining_schedule_strength]'s strength of schedule tracker that calculates the combined points per game of each team's remaining opponents. Boston's toughest matchups see the club facing the Hurricanes, Devils, Maple Leafs, Lightning, Rangers and Wild once apiece. The Bruins also face easier opponents, such as the Blue Jackets, Blackhawks, Flyers and Blues once and the Canadiens twice. Their next two games are March 4 against the New York Rangers and March 9 against the Edmonton Oilers to kick off their post-deadline race to the all-time points record. And despite all that, Boston has not clinched a playoff spot yet. It'd be optimal to win a couple more games just to be safe – just a hunch.
