The Boston Bruins entered Tuesday sitting atop the Atlantic Division and in second place in the Eastern Conference overall with a 7-2-0 record.

There are a lot of factors driving the Bruins' success early in the 2026-27 NHL season.

The B's rank fifth in goals scored per game and second in goals allowed per game. They are the only team ranked top five in both of those stats. They also have the No. 8-ranked power play and the No. 14-ranked penalty kill.

Boston's goaltending has been superb, too. Jeremy Swayman and Michael DiPietro have combined to save 8.27 goals above expected -- the third-best of any team.

But the one element of the Bruins' success that is probably the most encouraging has been the offensive production provided by the team's young players.

The Bruins, for the first time in a while, have a lot of young players playing key roles. And give credit to management and the coaching staff. Sending veterans such as Sean Kuraly and Michael Eyssimont to the AHL opened up ice time for some of these younger players. In previous years, the B's rarely made these kinds of moves.

The most impressive young player to this point has been Fraser Minten. The 22-year-old center, who signed a seven-year, $50.4 million extension last month, has eight points in nine games. His four goals are tied with David Pastrnak for the team lead. Minten has taken a jump in his offensive development, which, combined with his savvy defensive abilities, makes him a strong two-way player.

James Hagens has six points (two goal, four assists) in nine games. He's tied for second in scoring among NHL rookies. He has adjusted well to the speed and physicality of the NHL game. Matthew Poitras spent almost all of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. He is seizing this opportunity to become a regular in Boston with five points (three goals, two assists) in six games.

Poitras' goal against the Ducks was assisted by Hagens. The most interesting aspect of that goal was the fact that head coach Marco Sturm trusted two rookies to be on the ice in the final four minutes of a one-goal game versus a very good opponent.

JJ Peterka, the speedy winger who Boston acquired from the Mammoth back in June for two first-round draft picks, has six points (three goals, three) assists in nine games. The 24-year-old has given the Bruins much-needed speed.

Mason Lohrei has played very well on the back end with five points. Rookie defenseman Frederic has two points in six games, while holding his own defensively in 17 minutes per game. Brunet has established himself as an important part of the blue line.

The Bruins recently completed a three-game sweep in California with wins over the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Seven of Boston's 14 goals over those three victories came from players age 25 or younger. Seventeen of the Bruins' 34 goals through nine games have been scored by players 25 years old or younger.

Six of the team's top 10 scorers as of Tuesday morning are age 25 or younger.

NBC Sports Boston

NBC Sports Boston

Sturm deserves a lot of credit for the young players' success through nine games. He's a great player development coach. He puts these players in positions and roles where they can thrive. And they don't have to worry about getting benched or being demoted to the AHL if they make a mistake or two. That fear doesn't exist, and it helps them play with confidence.

There are still 73 games remaining. A lot of season is left. But the early returns from the young core are very encouraging for the franchise.

If it continues, the Bruins will be set up for success now and well into the future.