But on this night at least, the Broad Street Bullies aren't the biggest threat to the Bruins. Boston's biggest concern will be focusing on the game and controlling its emotions after what promises to be a spectacular kickoff to their title defense with the raising of their 2010-11 Stanley Cup banner to the Garden rafters.
"I think that's probably going to be our biggest challenge," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "One second you're emotions are as high as they can get and it will be an emotional situation, then all of a sudden you have to cut the cord and really focus on what you have to do and that's to get off to a good start and hopefully win a hockey game against a pretty good team. So we're going to have to be ready for that and I think that's a big challenge in itself and I think we realize that."
The Bruins have kept the exact plans for the pregame ceremonies secret, and even the players don't know exactly what to expect. But they do know it will be tough to turn their focus back on the game after those festivities.
"I don't really know what to expect, how the emotions are going to be," Bruins center David Krejci said. "But we have to stay focused. It isn't going to be easy but we have to stay focused. I'm sure once the first faceoff is done, everything will be put to the side and we'll be ready for a new season."
At least one Bruin expects the energy and excitement in the building left over from the ceremony will actually help their performance rather than distract from the task at hand.
"I think the big thing for us is we're going to have our crowd that night," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "If they're going to be anything like they were in the playoffs, then we're going to come out with a lot of momentum and energy. And knowing our fans, they're going to be wild that night. So after the banner goes up and we do whatever we're doing, I think we're really going to be able to focus on the game with the amount of energy we're going to build off the crowd."
Even the players who weren't a part of the Cup run are excited about the festivities on tap for Thursday.
That includes Benoit Pouliot, who could have felt a bit awkward considering he played against the Bruins in the playoffs for Montreal last year, but instead he's embracing the celebration too.
"You know what, I'm a Bruin now," Pouliot said. "We've talked about it. Yes, I wasn't here last year, but I'm here this year. It's going to be nice to see. The Cup's going to be there, that's going to be nice, and then it's game time."
Marchand and the rest of the Bruins will also have to focus on being ready for the big day. A season-opener is always thrilling, and adding a banner-raining ceremony only heightens the anticipation. Like a kid on Christmas Eve, it's a combination that could make it tough to get to sleep the night before, but Marchand already has that worked out.
"I'm excited for the season to start, but that's what NyQuil is for," Marchand said. "Take a little shot of that and I'll be good."
