WILMINGTON, Mass. -- An extremely high level of readiness comes with the start of every National Hockey League season, and the anticipation for the grueling 10-month trek with the hope of hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in celebration of a championship is unmatched in any other professional sport.

The Bruins have made five trips to the Stanley Cup finals (1974, 1977, 1978, 1988 and 1990) since their last championship in 1972. The team has missed the playoffs just four times in the last 34 years.

The Bruins almost completely re-created themselves during the offseason, and they still are in the midst of organizational changes as the season begins tonight against the Panthers in Florida.

Boston has a new general manager, a new coach and several new players who complement the returnees.

"We're getting to know each other pretty well and we have good chemistry on the ice," said Bruins assistant captain Patrice Bergeron. "Things are looking good, and I'm very excited about this team right now. You can't teach hard work and intensity, and we have that."

Solid goaltending is crucial, too. Boston has a solid tandem -- albeit with only 62 games of NHL experience -- of Tim Thomas and Hannu Toivonen. Bruins coach Dave Lewis announced yesterday that Thomas, who was tremendous last season and has carried his success into the preseason, will start the season-opener.

Thomas, 32, and Toivonen, 22, have a good relationship and complement each other well. They will split time evenly, leaving the No. 1 spot up for grabs.

"I think it's worked really well so far," said the coach. "I talked to both of them about experience, and the only way to get experience is to play games.

"Both came (to the NHL) by different routes. Timmy has done everything imaginable to get to the National Hockey League, and maybe somewhere along the way he had doubts and reservations.

" Other people may have had doubts and reservations in him, too. But he's here now and he's looked good. He's had a very strong camp. He's ready to go.

"Hannu is a young guy and feels good about his game. He has high expectations and he's ready for that challenge of competing every night at the highest level you can, and he's getting better."

The goaltender is the last line of defense, and a solid corps of defensemen is a mighty big help. The Bruins have that.

Zdeno Chara, the club's newly appointed captain, who is a 6-foot-9, 260-pounder, is considered one of the top four blueliners in the league. His presence on and off the ice will be a key factor for such a young Bruins team.

Andrew Alberts, a second-year defenseman, will be Chara's partner on defense. That should make Alberts a better player. Milan Jurcina was expected to be Chara's partner, but he will start the season on the injured list (bruised elbow).

Paul Mara, whom the Bruins acquired in a trade with Phoenix for Nick Boynton, has been paired with Brad Stuart during the preseason, and that's a solid combination. Newcomers Jason York and Nathan Dempsey are the other regular pairing on defense. Wade Brookbank also is on the season-opening roster.

On offense, Bergeron, 21, will line up with Brad Boyes and rookie Phil Kessel. Veteran Glen Murray is back, and the club signed free agent Marc Savard during the summer. Plus, Marco Sturm proved to be an offensive threat and playmaker when he arrived in Boston last season in the Thornton trade.

The third and fourth lines will be made up of P.J. Axelsson, Shean Donovan, Jeff Hoggan, Wayne Primeau, Mark Mowers and Yan Stastny. Forward Petr Tenkrat was placed on waivers yesterday.

"I've forgotten all about last year," said Murray. "I'm looking forward to this year; everyone has a smile on their face."

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340