Over the previous decade, the Boston Bruins have been probably the most constant group within the NHL. They’ve been a constant playoff group for the previous eight seasons, with 2015-16 being the final time they missed the playoffs. Even in that season, they solely missed the playoffs on account of tie-breakers. Though they didn’t win the cup within the span, they did have a number of notable accomplishments. Like going to Sport 7 of the 2018-19 Cup Finales, and setting the report for wins and factors in 2022-23.
Nevertheless, one thing feels off about this Bruins group to date. They aren’t enjoying on the dominant stage we’re used to. Twenty video games into the season, the Bruins are 8-9-3, good for 19 factors. They’re at present holding on to the final wild card spot, however the complete East is nipping at their heels. Solely three factors separate them from the last-place Canadiens.
This got here to a head Sunday night time when the Bruins misplaced to the Blue Jackets 5-1 in Boston. The loss prompted head coach Jim Montgomery to lose his job. Simply two seasons after he led the Bruins on their record-breaking season. So what has gone flawed for the Bruins this season?
Why The Bruins Are Struggling
One of many most important causes for the Bruins’s falloff is the collapse of their particular groups. The particular groups had lengthy been an enormous a part of the groups’ identification. It was an enormous cause for the group being so profitable over the previous decade. Their energy play share has repeatedly been within the high half of the league. Extra importantly, their penalty-kill share has been within the high ten.
Nevertheless, this season we’ve seen a significant dropoff. To date this season the Bruins energy play share is 11.7, lifeless final within the NHL. This can be a ten-point drop-off from final season. Their penalty-kill share is 75.6 which is twenty fifth within the league. This can be a seven-point drop-off from final season. The way in which the Bruins have performed for years is not working. When that occurs, it’s no surprise why the group appears off on the ice.
It additionally doesn’t assist that a number of key items of the Bruins core have underperformed. David Pastrnak who’s the center and soul of the Bruins lineup hasn’t performed as much as what was anticipated. When a participant as necessary as Pasta is struggling it has ripple results, it causes different gamers to fall wanting expectations, which is precisely what has occurred with the Bruins. Gamers like Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, and Nikita Zadorov have all struggled.
Is It Time For A Rebuild?
With the Montgomery firing, it’s clear that the group is open to adjustments. Nevertheless, how far are they prepared to go? Do they assume that the teaching change is all this group, or are they going to tear the entire thing down and begin over? When trying over the present state of the NHL the good transfer could be for the Bruins to start their rebuild.
The East is a gauntlet this season. The Atlantic has the defending cup champions Panthers, in addition to too of probably the most constant groups within the Maple Leafs and Lighting. So it’ll be exhausting to steal one of many three spots from them. So their solely hope could be a wild card spot. Nevertheless, that’s the place the Metro is available in. Seven groups within the Metro have a legit shot on the playoffs. So it’s probably that the 2 wild card groups would come out of the Metro.
With all of the competitors for restricted spots, and the Bruins’s struggles beginning over could also be the very best for the way forward for the group. They’ve a number of gamers nonetheless within the prime of their careers. Buying and selling them may land the Bruins an enormous return. A return that helps velocity up the rebuild course of and strikes the timeline up on after they can compete once more. In contrast to in the event that they hold on to their gamers and the wrestle continues. They might then get pennies on the greenback in comparison with what they get by this deadline. Nevertheless, painful a rebuild is what’s greatest for Boston going ahead.
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