Elsa / Getty Images file

Defenseman Zdeno Chara gives the Bruins a weapon other teams simply can't match, writes Bill Clement of NBCSports.com.

Special Teams
Boston’s power play is ranked fourth in the NHL. As defensemen on the point, Chara and Wideman are as good a combination as can be found in the Eastern Conference. Wideman could finish the season as No. 1 on the team in assists and points on the power play. Lucic serves as a presence around the net, and also as a screener.

The Bruins have passers up front in Savard and Krejci. And with Kessel, Michael Ryder, and Chuck Kobasew, they have forwards who can finish on the power play.

The Bruins have the third best penalty kill in the Eastern Conference, and the seventh best in the league. Remember, if a team’s penalty kill is poor, it will offset the benefits of a strong power play.

Stephane Yelle and P.J. Axelsson are among the preeminent penalty killers in the NHL, even though they don’t get a lot of publicity. Patrice Bergeron also makes valuable contributions to this unit.

Underrated players
Wideman bounced back from a less-than-stellar Boston debut in 2006-07 to significantly improve in all areas last season. He posted personal bests, including over 25 minutes of icetime per game. The rest of the league has not caught on to just how dangerous the defenseman can be, and he’s having a terrific season.

Ryder, a winger who signed with Boston as an unrestricted free agent last summer, has always had the reputation of not working very hard defensively, but he’s changing that in Boston. One of his prime assets is he is a sniper.

What Yelle and Axelsson do defensively is underrated. Bergeron — even though he hasn’t put up big numbers — does everything really well. He’s flying below the radar.

Defenseman Matt Hunwick puts up numbers, and the 23-year-old does a lot of good things for the Bruins.

Leadership
Chara is an incredible leader simply because he leaves it all on the ice. He can be a leader in every situation. He’s dynamic five-on-five, as well as on the power play, and on the penalty kill. He’s physical, and he’s unselfish. To him, it’s all about getting the win.

Besides Chara, there are others who lead. Lucic, whom I mentioned as a potential future captain of the Bruins, has a fearless, gladiator mentality. He knows how to perform in big games, and he will crank it up in big spots. He’s also a ferocious hitter.

Andrew Ference has battled injuries this season, but he provides leadership. He is a highly respected player and leader. There’s also leadership coming from behind the bench through Julien and Ramsay.

Home ice
The Bruins are one of the more dominant home-ice teams in the NHL. The Boston Garden was so intimidating for opposing teams as the fans were ravenous, arguably the most vocal in the league. They haven’t lost those traits at the TD Banknorth Garden.

More news

NBC Sports

'For me, it's unbelievable'

  Video: 40-year-old Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be making his fifth Stanley Cup finals appearance.

NHL.com: 5th Cup finals for Brodeur  |  'Feels good'

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Stanley Cup finals has great storylines

PHT: Future isn't terrible for the Rangers

Devils oust Rangers in OT, reach Cup finals

Highlights: OT goal delivers Devils to Cup finals

PHT: Rangers' gas tank hits empty | Rally falls short

NHL.com: Torts praises Rangers after season ends

Review of Stanley Cup winners

PHT Extra: Kings will face toughest foe yet