The Boston Bruins are the leading team in the Eastern Conference at the midpoint of the season. But all focus is going to be on their playoff success in April and hopefully into June, into the Cup Finals. After last year’s gut-wrenching loss to Florida, and the announcement of star centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci’s retirement, expectations were low this year. The main question is: Will the Bruins succeed in the playoffs?
“I think [The Bruins] could still lose in the first round. I don’t see it happening, but it is possible,” says longtime Bruins fan Jason. Born in the era of The Big Bad Bruins, Jason has been a huge fan for a while now. He’s seen them lose in the cup finals in 2013, in 2019, but he also saw them hoist the cup in 2011.
When asked about the Bruin’s playoff hopes, he answered: “It depends on the trade deadline, and injuries. But I think they’ll lose in the finals.” When asked to elaborate, he continued: “Because of the disappointment last year, how emotional they are. Statistically, the teams that win the Presidents Trophy and lose in the first round typically make it to the finals the following year. But, all being said, I think they could still lose in the first round. I don’t see it happening, but it’s still possible.”
Following the 2023 playoffs, Bruins star centers (Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci) announced their retirement. The Bruins had to jump into the open market, signing Morgan Geekie, Jesper Boqvist, Patrick Brown,
and bringing up draft picks from 2019 and 2022 Johnny Beecher and Matt Poitras into the lineup. Throughout all of this adversity, the Bruins are again the cream of the crop, leading the Eastern Conference. However, the main focus is going to be on the playoffs. With Poitras out for the season, the center depth is questionable. The big question at the moment is if these centers will be enough to get us far into the playoffs. If not, What will we do at the trade deadline? Will Jake Debrusk be traded?
“No, but If he was traded I would see them getting back a second round and a player, a late first rounder, or maybe a second and a prospect.” Says Jason. “Because what the bruins are looking for is picks and money. If you can get a pick and ship out his 4 million dollars, that’s great. But at the end of the day, he’s still a second line winger with great speed. They don’t grow on trees.”
Jason was also asked about what team he would prefer [The Bruins] to face in the playoffs. At the moment, with the Bruins at the top of the Eastern conference, they will be facing the last-place wild card team. Right now, that team is the Detroit Red Wings, but it could easily be Tamba Bay, with two less remaining games to play than Detroit.
“The Tampa Bay Lightning, because we have some unfinished business with them, and it would prove that their dynasty is over. Detroit is better, faster and younger, but they aren’t as mature? If the red wings would win, which I dont expect, I think it would galvanize them and they would become really good.”
By unfinished business, he’s referring to the 2020 Playoff loss to the Lightning, the eventual Stanley Cup hoisters. Led by Nikita Kucherov, who is currently the leading Hart Trophy Nominee, the team’s depth has staggeringly dropped, and their defensive core has suffered heavily from injuries. Detroit, led by their captain Dylan Larkin and long-time Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane, have wiggled their way into a playoff spot. They are a fast, young, offensive team, with incredible potential in following years, built by Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman.
At the time of publishing, the Bruins are second in the division, 2 points behind the Florida Panthers. They have a 36-13-14 record, with 86 points. In their last 10, they are 4-2-4, taking a win home Monday night in Toronto.