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