After a humbling 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, the Bruins delivered a strong response with a 4-1 home win over the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday.

That bounce back mattered. Boston has now won four of its last five games and sits at 20-14-0, firmly in the playoff mix and well ahead of preseason expectations.

With that kind of start, the conversation is shifting from survival to opportunity.

If the Bruins keep this pace, they will almost certainly be buyers at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, and the needs are becoming clearer by the week.

One recent Bleacher Report article by Lyle Richardson zeroed in on what might be the biggest one.

“The Bruins could use an experienced right-shot defenseman on their second blue-line pairing. They haven't suitably filled the gap left by trading Brandon Carlo to Toronto last season,” Richardson wrote.

It is hard to argue.

Boston has leaned on right shot options like Henri Jokiharju and Andrew Peeke, but neither profiles as a true long-term second pairing solution on a contending roster.

The absence of Brandon Carlo has been felt in subtle ways, especially against heavier forechecks and sustained offensive zone pressure.

Right shot defenseman emerging as Bruins priority

The Bruins are defending well enough to win games, but there is still room for improvement, particularly on controlled exits and second pair stability.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is the most obvious name on the market. He would instantly upgrade Boston's right side, but the cost would be significant.

Andersson is widely viewed as the top defenseman available, and interest around the league is expected to be heavy.

Another option is St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, a proven veteran with a right shot, though his 6.5 million dollar cap hit complicates the math.

Still, the Bruins are in a position where calculated risk makes sense.

Adding the right piece on defense could elevate them from a feel good story to a legitimate threat.

Boston should also explore adding another top six scorer, but if one move defines their deadline approach, it may start on the right side of the blue line.

The Bruins are playing meaningful hockey again, and now the pressure shifts to how they choose to build on it.