There are few hockey fans out there, except perhaps for a few blindly loyal Bostonians, who would have predicted that the Bruins would lead the NHL’s Eastern Conference in goals scored and team points at this juncture.

Sure, the young Bruins were a surprise team a year ago, but much of that success was based on a stingy defense. It was far from certain that the team would take the next step offensively this season

Thanks to solid play by the defense and No. 1 goalie Tim Thomas, a balanced offensive attack and the emergence of budding star Phil Kessel, Boston is 19-6-5 through 30 games. For the season, only San Jose (22-3-2) has more wins, though no NHL club has held opponents to fewer goals per game (2.04).

Although Thomas ranks second in the league in both goals-against average (1.90) and save percentage (.940), the difference maker has been Kessel. The right wing, who turned 21 in October, already has 17 goals -- and only the Flyers’ Jeff Carter (20) and Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek (20) have more this season.

The Bruins lost for the first time in six games Wednesday night, dropping a 3-1 decision to Washington, but the Caps couldn’t keep Kessel off the scorecard. He assisted on Boston’s lone goal to extend his point-scoring streak to 13 games. Failing to tally a goal ended a six-game goal-scoring streak, but the red-hot Bruin has 10 goals and seven assists during his 13-game run.

With 11 goals each, only Carter and Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin have recorded more goals since Kessel’s points streak began on Nov. 13. Only Ovechkin (24) and Penguins Sidney Crosby (22) and Evgeni Malkin (22) have more points. Ovechkin was good for a goal and an assist in Washington’s win on Wednesday.

Can you say “breakout season”? Kessel scored 11 goals in 70 games as a rookie two years ago. Last season he tallied 19 in 82 contests, and already the sharpshooter has 17 goals in 2008-09. With Kessel leading the way, it looks like a breakout campaign for the young Bruins, as well.