The Boston Bruins find themselves in the same place they were last season -- first place in the Eastern Conference. So how much could have changed?

Here's a look at the significant differences -- and similarities -- between the Bruins of last year and the Bruins of this year:

	LAST YEAR	THIS YEAR
Best player:	Bill Guerin	Joe Thornton
Best defenseman:	Varied from game to game	Nick Boynton
Goaltending:	Dafoe, Dafoe, Dafoe	The law firm of Shields & Grahame
Coaching orders:	Keep the puck out of the defensive zone	Everyone joins the rush
Leadership:	Guerin serves as de facto captain	Thornton thrives with "C" on his sweater.
Biggest surprise:	Losing in the playoffs with Bill Guerin	Winning without Sergei Samsonov
Biggest strength:	Forwards	Overall depth
Biggest weakness:	No offense from defense	Playoff inexperience
Biggest additions:	Martin Lapointe	Bryan Berard and Jonathan Girard
Most underrated player:	Brian Rolston	Brian Rolston
Biggest controversy:	Pending unrestricted free agency	What to do with Kyle McLaren
Breakthrough player:	Nick Boynton	Joe Thornton
Biggest rumor:	Chris Drury coming to town	Martin Lapointe on the trade block

Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.