Boston Bruins A Good, Not Great Team

Brad Marchand skating for the Boston Bruins
Steve Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty

With 1:58 remaining in overtime Sunday night, Brad Marchand skated to collect his own rebound, misjudged Bo Horvat’s positioning, and helplessly watched as the New York Islanders forward snapped the game-winner past Jeremy Swayman. Seven seconds, just seven seconds, separated the Boston Bruins from an impressive come-from-behind victory and crushing defeat. 

An outcome that largely represents how things have gone for them in 2024-25.

Boston remains winless in the New Year and 4-5-1 in their last 10. Three of their four victories came against teams who failed to qualify for the 2024 playoffs. But their most recent rough patch has come with no lack of effort to succeed. 

The eyeball test will tell you the Bruins have done more than enough to earn some victories. However, they’ve also done just enough to lose them.

Take, for example, their New Year’s Eve matchup in Washington against the Capitals. Justin Brazeau opened the scoring for Boston just 1:21 in, and 26 shots later, their tally remained the same. Two days later, the New York Rangers needed just two first-period goals, scored less than three minutes apart, to secure a victory. In both contests, Jeremy Swayman surrendered just two goals, and Washington added an empty netter. This leads you to believe that while structurally, they’re sound defensively, they lack scoring touch.

Not necessarily; over the weekend, during their back-to-back losses, the Bruins produced eight goals but surrendered eleven. In both cases, they managed to tie the score in the third period, only to have two points slip between their fingers. 

So if the issue isn’t defending or scoring, there’s only one outlier. Consistency. Whether it’s needing a timely goal, or keeping one out of their own net the only consistency has been inconsistency. 

https://youtu.be/abP3RSHGsDw

Earlier this year, I compared this team to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Unfortunately, the relevance hasn’t been minimized. With two months of additional hindsight, you can say with confidence the Boston Bruins are a good team, not a great one.

Narratives can always be changed, and the Bruins are presented with a tremendous opportunity to do exactly that. As of Tuesday, January 7th, nine of their next 11 games are against playoff teams, including their next five consecutive. By the time Punxsutawney Phil rises from the ground,d you’ll know exactly what kind of team they are.

Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva? Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Morgan Geekie Arbitration Rights? What's his deal look like?- Nikita Zadorov's seemed to blow off the idea Swayman was sticking up for a teammate. Trouble in paradise?- Torts is out in Philly. Is he a fit in Boston?- What kind of grade would you give Fabian Lysell since his call up?& Much More!Bruins Benders Premium Hoodies $55https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieBruins Benders Long Sleeve Tee $40https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Bruins Benders Tee $30https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1For more from us, visit: insidetherink.com/bruins-bendersBoston Bruins Trade Rumors, Boston Bruins News, Boston Bruins, Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Nikita Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Johnny Beecher, Mark Kastelic, Justin Brazeau, Cole Koepke, Trent Frederic, Matthew Poitras, Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, Morgan Geekie, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Elias Lindholm, Oliver Wahlstrom, Fabian Lysell, Georgii Merkulov, Joe Sacco, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, Brandon Carlo Trade#nhl #nhlbruins #hockey #bostonbruins #nhlplayoffs #bruins #nhlhockey #nhlmemes #boston #nhlallstar #nhldiscussion #nhlnews #nhledits #nhldraft #bruinsnation #nhlawards #nhltrade #hockeylife #tdgarden #nhlhighlights #bostonsports #bruinshockey #bruinsfan #nhlblackhawks #nhlglobalseries #nhlfi #nhlleafs #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline #nhlcanadiens #nhl #nhlnews #hockey #nhlhockey #nhlplayoffs #nhledits #nhldiscussion #nhlmemes #nhldraft #nhlallstar #hockeylife #hockeynews #hockeymemes #nhlhighlights #icehockey #sports #hockeyislife #nhlbruins #hockeyplayers #hockeyfan #hockeyplayer #hockeyedits #stanleycup #nhlawards #hockeygame #hockeyboys #hockeygram #hockeyfights #nhltrade #nhltrades 
  1. Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva?
  2. Season 4. Episode 25. It's Not a Retool
  3. Season 4. Episode 24. Franchise Altering Deadline
  4. Season 4. Episode 23. Disappointing, Not Devastating
  5. Season 4. Episode 22. 4 Nations LIVE

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