The Bruins' amazing, record-breaking season by the numbers

The Boston Bruins entered the Stanley Cup playoffs after the most successful regular season in NHL history. They set a single-season record for wins and shattered the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens' mark of 132 points.

«When I think about how great those teams were, and how we surpassed that total, it's significant. Because those were dominant hockey teams,» Boston coach Jim Montgomery said.

«Dominant» might not do justice to the Bruins' performance this season. They outpaced opponents in the standings with nary a losing streak. They won at home, on the road, in the East and in the West. Backed by the league's best goaltending, they were clearly the NHL's top defensive team. Led by 60-goal scorer David Pastrnak and unparalleled depth, they were almost the NHL's top offensive team, as well.

These data visualizations illustrate how the Bruins steamrolled the NHL this season on their way to history.

It's a distant memory now, but the Bruins were expected to struggle at the start of the season. Getting used to a new coach. Missing injured stars Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy. But instead of stumbling out of the gate, Boston sprinted to a 20-3-0 start and set an NHL record by winning its first 14 home games.

The Bruins had consecutive regulation losses only once. Their longest winless streak was three games, also happening only once. With the postseason never in doubt, Boston still dashed to the finish line by winning 26 of its last 30 games.

«Being able to stay focused and learn how to win when chasing records is the closest thing you can do, when you're having a season like us, to prepare for the playoffs,» Montgomery said.

No matter the time, place or opponent, the Bruins beat everybody this season.

Boston tied the NHL