Inside the Booth: The Boston Bruins' New Blood, New Beginnings Era Night (Saturday, January 20, 2024)

The late 80s and early 90s brought life back to the Boston Bruins and broke "Le Jinx" once and for all.

The New Blood, New Beginnings Era Night on January 20th was one of my favorites to announce to date. A period of triumph and transition, the late 80s and 90s hold some of the Bruins' most treasured memories: the rise of more superstar talent, the fond farewell to the Boston Garden, the opening of TD Garden right behind it, and two trips to the Stanley Cup Final. But the most defining moment of the era came on April 26, 1988. After 45 years of playoff frustration at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, the Bruins emerged victorious for the first time since 1943. Boston broke the notorious "Le Jinx," making history, and beginning a new chapter in hockey's greatest rivalry.

April 26, 1988 brought Game 5 on the road at the Montreal Forum, the former home of the Canadiens before they opened Centre Bell in 1996. They wouldn't be denied the opportunity to win the series right then and there - Steve Kasper and Cam Neely potted one each in the first period, and the B's never looked back - they finally defeated Montreal 4-1. The Bruins returned home from that game to thousands of ecstatic fans awaiting them at Logan Airport, well into the evening. It was only fitting that they got the same reception on January 20th, 2024 at TD Garden.

The landmark 1988 victory set the stage for the next chapter of one of the greatest rivalries in sports, as the Bruins won four out of the next five playoff meetings against the Canadiens.

The Montreal Jinx was over, once and for all.

Here's a glimpse of the ceremony. Video is courtesy of NESN and the Boston Bruins.