The Boston Bruins season recently ended on Friday, May 17th to the Florida Panthers in game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Gustav Forsling’s late 3rd period goal propelled the Panthers to their second straight Eastern Conference Final appearance. The Bruins poured their hearts and souls into this series as they tried to avenge last season’s shocking 1st round exit. Alas, the Panthers prevail again.
The Bruins were celebrating their centennial season this year (100 years of being a franchise). Their thrilling 1st round against the Toronto Maple Leafs was surely memorable, especially the game 7 overtime winner by David Pastrnak to send the Bruins to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2021. However, the Panthers reminded the Bruins that they still have their number. This loss leaves fans wondering if it’s time to break things up and look to start fresh.
The Bruins have an 8 season playoff appearance streak but nothing to show for it. They only have one Stanley Cup Final appearance in that span, in which they lost to the St. Louis Blues in 7 games. They have been heavily criticized as a “regular season team” and have been called “the Dallas Cowboys of the NHL” by numerous fans. Don Sweeney (the man who makes all the moves) has made some fine additions to the team over the years. However, some of those trades he made he might have wanted to take back. His star players always underachieve in the playoffs despite the fact that they had fantastic regular seasons. I guess some stars aren’t built for the bright lights.
Bruins fans get excited every year that their team is going to make a deep run. Instead, they have to witness these measly 1st and 2nd exits year after year. Brad Marchand is the Bruins captain and lots of people are expecting him to retire soon. A handful of players become free agents this offseason as well. Maybe this is what the Bruins need to finally make it over that hump. They’ve seen the same rotation of players for the last 3-4 years (with a few exceptions including different free-agent signings over that span) and they always lose. It’s just something about that group of players that can’t find the right opportunity to take the series.
Bruins fans are sick and tired of being bounced year after year and having nothing to show for it. Some believe it is best to rebuild saying, “You’ll never win it with these guys,” and others say, “This is our team, win or lose, don’t let these guys walk in free agency.” They have some serious discussions to go over this offseason.
In what was meant to be a historic season, it ended up turning into a disaster in the end. They got their one thing to celebrate: beating the Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 games. Getting bounced by your rivals in the next round is embarrassing, especially during their 100th season. No one knows what will happen in the future. However, something needs to change and it needs to change fast or Boston will eventually not make the playoffs. The 101st season will surely be a treat.
The 2024 Stanley Cup Final starts in June and these 4 remaining teams are still fighting for a spot in the Final: Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers.
