Episode 120 - Bruin...and Cookin'! - With Billy Jaffe - Nov. 4, 2026

After surprising many by making the playoffs last spring, the Boston Bruins are off to a start showing 2025-26 was no fluke. NESN/NHL Network Analyst Billy Jaffe joins Neil and Vic to take a close look at what's fueling the continued success in Beantown. Following the interview, we'll update the Nikita Kucherov saga, a comeback of historic proportion and talk about change - as in uniforms and the fact that your hockey viewing nights are ending earlier. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:19] - Neil welcomes Billy Jaffe to the show and after some fun reminiscing, get right into the surprising success under head coach Marco Sturm and how it's continued early in 2026-27. [08:17] - The depth of the forward group with several young players picking up off last season and complimented by additions playing their first full seasons for the Bruins. [12:30] - Touching on the defense, an off-season acquisition has stood out stunning many with where he sits in league plus-minus. [14:33] - The impact of Charlie McAvoy. [17:47] - Some insight on Jeremy Swayman. [21:32] - The maturation into David Pastrnak becoming captain. [24:35] - Special teams. In particular the penalty killing where the B's were shorthanded more than any team in the league coupled with a 24th place ranking. The numbers are comparable this season save for the ranking but, has the discipline improved? [28:02] - The Morning Bru with Jaffe and Razor Podcast. [31:16] - Wrapping the discussion with Billy Jaffe. [33:05] - The Nikita Kucherov drama continues. [37:51] - A comeback of historic proportion. [41:47] - Connor Hellebuyck wins his home debut with the Devils, the same game as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins becomes the Oilers all-time franchise leader in games played. Also addressed is an open letter from Hellebuyck to Jets fans as he prepares to return to Winnipeg next Tuesday. [45:09] - The Remix Uniforms. Like 'em or leave 'em? For the first seven to debut them, they may want to think about wearing them again. [49:48] - Notice that games being played in Central and Western Canada are starting...and ending earlier? [52:40] - Injuries updates...short stack. [53:40] - Hockey Fights Cancer Month brings out the best in the NHL. [56:41] - TheLineup.pro Stat of the Week X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/ NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/ #NHLWraparound #NHLWraparound.com #ShortShifts #NYCentric #CelebritySeries #HallofFameEdition #StanleyCupdate #SummerCoolers #Smith'sPix #NeilSmith #VicMorren #NHL #BZZR #UBS #TheLineup.pro #BillyJaffe #NESN #NHLNetwork #TheMorningBruwithJaffe&Razor #MarcoSturm #JimMontgomery #BruceCassidy #ClaudeJulien #FraserMinten #CaseyMittelstadt #MaratKhusnutdinov #MattPoitras #JJPeterka #JamesHagens #MattMcIlvane #TannerJeannot #MarkKastelic #CharlieMcAvoy #NikitaZadorov #MasonLohrei #WillBorgen #JeremySwayman #MichaelDiPietro #LinusUllmark #BrandonBussi #BobEssensa #MikeDunham #AndrewRaycroft #DavidPastrnak #MorganGeekie #HampusLindholm #EliasLindholm #BradMarchand #BrandonCarlo #CharlieCoyle #NikitaKucherov #JulienBriseBois #JakeGuentzel #VictorHedman #RyanMcDonagh #AndreiVasilevskiy #BraydenPoint #AnthonyCirelli #MarkMessier #TyrelBauer #ArberXhekaj #AdamLowry #FlorianXhekaj #KyleConnor #DylanSamberg #ConnorHellebuyck #RyanNugent-Hopkins #KevinLowe #BradyTkachuk #ZachHyman #ConnorMcDavid #LeonDraisaitl #EvanBouchard #MitchMarner #LouLamoriello #SamPollock #ToeBlake #PumchImlach #MatthewTkachuk #SamBennett #RadkoGudas #Patrick