Marc Savard makes contributions in two different games on Oct. 11. David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE
Boston Bruins history for October 11, which was supposed to be Opening Night of the 2012-13 NHL season:
1951: The 1951-52 Bruins season kicks off with a whimper instead of a bang as the Bruins lose 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings.
1953: Two years after that shutout to start the season, the Bruins get down to business by beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1.
1954: The Bruins play to a 2-2 tie with the Canadiens.
1956: A 4-4 tie against the Toronto Maple Leafs opens the 1956-57 Bruins season.
1958: Just like two years prior, the Bruins play to a 4-4 tie, though this time it’s against the New York Rangers and it is not the season opener.
1959: The Bruins beat the Habs by an 8-4 score in Boston Garden.
1960: In what seems to be a common outcome for games on Oct. 11, the Bruins tie 3-3 with the Red Wings.
1961: The 1961-62 season opens with a 6-2 loss to the Rangers at home.
1962: The 1962-63 season begins with a bang as the Bruins defeat the Habs 5-0 at home.
1967: Another tie starts the season as the Bruins and Red Wings tie 4-4.
1968: This time, the season begins with a definite win over the Wings, 4-2 in Boston.
1970: Another season begins with a win over Detroit, this time a 7-3 win that starts a four-game streak.
1972: The Bruins are narrowly beaten 4-3 by Detroit.
1979: After four teams are invited to join the NHL from the WHA, the Bruins find themselves opening their season against a new team, the Winnipeg Jets. The Bruins win 4-0.
1980: The New York Islanders defeat the Bruins 5-2.
1981: After starting the season off badly, the Bruins get their first win of 1981-82 when they win over the Washington Capitals 6-3.
1984: The 1984-85 season starts with a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1986: The New Jersey Devils take the Bruins down 5-4.
1987: The Bruins beat the Hartford Whalers 5-2.
1989: In the second half of a home-and-home with the Habs, the Bruins lose 4-2 in Montreal.
1990: The Bruins tie it with the Minnesota North Stars 3-3.
1993: Another tie on Oct. 11? Yes, exactly as Montreal ties it 1-1 with Boston.
1995: The Bruins begin a five-game western road trip in Denver, but lose 3-1 to the Colorado Avalanche in their first time playing the team since its move from Quebec.
1997: During another western road trip, the Bruins lose 5-2 to the San Jose Sharks.
1999: The Bruins tie it–yep, another tie–with the Avalanche 3-3. It’s their second consecutive tie game.
2000: The Bruins kick off a western swing by beating the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.
2002: The 2002-03 season begins with a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild, a team the Bruins do not often win against in their few meetings each season.
2003: This is the last time a game held on Oct. 11 can tie, but here it is again, a 3-3 tie to the Florida Panthers.
2006: In the midst of a five-game roadie, the Bruins lose 4-1 to the Atlanta Thrashers. P.J. Axelsson scores the only goal for the visiting team. This is Marc Savard‘s first return to Philips Arena since his acquisition from Atlanta.
2008: The Bruins travel to Minnesota and lose 4-3 to the Wild. Savard scores twice and Phil Kessel adds another goal, but Manny Fernandez–in his first return to Minny since he became a Bruin–is beaten one more time for the home team to get the win.
Click here to read more Today in Boston Bruins History articles.
