Big Bad Bruins 2.0? Marco Sturm wants to be ‘physical and nasty’ vs. Sabres

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Big Bad Bruins 2.0? Marco Sturm wants to be ‘physical and nasty’ vs. Sabres

Matt Vautour · MassLive

Sat, Apr 18, 2026 ·

3 min read

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BOSTON — Marco Sturm was talking to the media assembled in front of him at Warrior Arena on Friday, but the Bruins ’ coach’s message might have been aimed elsewhere.

When general manager Don Sweeney assembled the Bruins roster last summer, he was trying to create a roster that was heavy and hard to play against. He didn’t use the words “Big Bad Bruins ,” but the idea was similar. The belief was that teams like that are well suited for playoff success.

Sturm will take that big, often surly, roster to Buffalo on Sunday to begin the postseason. He warned that the Sabres should expect a physical series.

Because Buffalo is at home, the Sabres can dictate matchups with the last change. Sturm said it wouldn’t be a factor if the Bruins executed their plan.

“We don’t care. We are bigger, stronger. We are more physical. We just have to be smart. But we are going to go after them,” he said. “Whoever comes in, I don’t really care. We try to play our game.”

Sturm said a player like Nikita Zadorov, his 6-foot-9, 255-pound defenseman, could play a huge role in the series, if he can be physical without earning penalties.

“If he stays out of the box, I’m going to be happy,” he said. “For all of our big guys, starting with Z on the back end and (Tanner) Jeannot, Kasty ( Mark Kastelic ), being very physical and nasty without taking penalties could be huge. That could be a game-changer. That could be a series changer.”

Zadorov walked that line effectively in the 2024 playoffs for Vancouver .

“I think my style complements playoff hockey. Big physical, gritty. Hard to play against,” he said. “It’s exciting. I’m glad to be part of it for sure.”

Zadorov and Kastelic were first and second in the NHL in penalty minutes, while Buffalo’s Logan Stanley was third.

“You know how much is on the line. Their power play is unbelievable right now,” Zadorov said. “You definitely want to stay out of the box. I do elevate my game. I don’t want to play 82 games and not make the playoffs. That’s a waste of the year for me. You want to play these games.”

Sturm said teams don’t like playing Boston.

“I know a lot of teams are afraid of us. I can tell. You can see it. You can hear it,” he said. “That’s what we have to do in Buffalo. I know they want to outskate us. It should be a fun series.”

Game 1 is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the KeyBank Center.

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