Bruins’ Fans Still Clamoring For Former Fan Favorite

Photo by Terence Leung/NHLI via Getty Images

The Boston Bruins face old friend Milan Lucic and the Calgary Flames tonight, and. in preparation, I’m watching the highlights of the Boston Bruins’ miraculous comeback in Game 7 of the first round of the NHL playoffs in 2013 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Patrice Bergeron scored the game-tying and game-winning goals to win the game 5-4 in overtime after being down 4-1 in the third period. Bergeron! Bergeron! Bergeron! is the call forever etched in the memory banks of Bruins fans everywhere. But the real driving force in the comeback was winger Milan Lucic who buried a rebound of a Zdeno Chara shot to cut the Leafs’ lead to 4-3 with 1:22 to go in the third. After scoring, Lucic pumped his fist and looked to the scoreboard high above TD Garden, imploring his teammates that there was still time to tie it. This was vintage Lucic: big, tough, and a big game player with money on the line. The Bruins would advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, and Lucic was a key player, scoring seven goals with 12 assists in 22 games.

Lucic would play two more seasons in Boston, scoring 42 goals as his $6 million per year contract was expiring. Bostons decided to move on from Lucic amid a team rebuild and fears that Lucic’s size and style of play would wear the Vancouver native down. The Bruins traded the bruising forward to the Los Angeles Kings, and the Lucic era was over in Boston.

The Kings would retain Lucic for one year before the Edmonton Oilers would sign the former second-round pick to a seven-year, $42 million deal in 2016. Lucic’s numbers would decline steadily in Edmonton before he was dealt to Calgary in 2019. The bottom-six forward has been in Calgary for four seasons and has scored just 33 goals in 263 games.

As much as some Bruins fans would love to see it, there isn’t much room for the unrestricted free agent. But the lack of production has not changed Bruins fans’ view of their former star. Lucic’s name is brought up at every trade deadline as someone who can provide physicality and toughness for another Stanley Cup run. This season is no different, as the Bruins make a run at another title with the best team in hockey. Recently Boston acquired agitator Garnet Hathaway from Washington and possesses solid third and fourth lines that create matchup problems for opposing teams.

Boston Bruins fans romanticize about their incredible run to the Cup in 2011 and the miraculous comeback in 2013. Milan Lucic was a huge part of both great teams. But this edition of the Boston Bruins is stacked with talent and great leadership, things that Milan Lucic possessed years ago as a beloved member of the Boston Bruins. It remains to be seen if Lucic will retire or sign another deal to remain in the NHL. If the 6-foot-3, 240-pound wing decides to play, you can bet his name will be linked to the Bruins again this off-season.

Season 4. Episode 14. West Coast Road Trip. Bruins Benders Podcast

Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Elliotte Friedman's Trent Frederic Comments- Would You Invest In This Team?- Bruins Claim Oliver Wahlstrom- Decision Time For Marc McLaughlin?& 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-bendersInside The RinkGet Bent Premium HoodieWho knew that the softest hoodie you'll ever own comes with such a cool design. You won't regret buying this classic streetwear piece of apparel with a convenient pouch pocket and warm hood for chilly evenings. • 100% cotton face • 65% ring-spun cotton, 35% polyester • Front pouch pocket • Self-fabric patch on the backhttps://shop.insidetherink.com/products/get-bent-premium-hoodieInside The RinkBruins Benders Long Sleeve T-ShirtEnrich your wardrobe with a versatile long sleeve tee. For a casual look, combine it with your favorite jeans, and layer it with a button-up shirt, a zip-up hoodie, or a snazzy jacket. Dress it up with formal trousers or chinos to achieve a more professional look. • 100% airlume combed ring-spun cotton • Heather colorshttps://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-long-sleeve-tee-1Inside The RinkBruins Benders T-ShirtThis t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for all. • 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (Heather colors contain polyester) • Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²) • Pre-shrunk fabric • Side-seamed construction •https://shop.insidetherink.com/products/bruins-benders-t-shirt-1
  1. Season 4. Episode 14. West Coast Road Trip.
  2. Season 4. Episode 13. This Is Not the Sway
  3. Season 4. Episode 12. Going Streaking!
  4. Season 4. Episode 11. Have the Bruins Turned a Corner?
  5. Season 4. Episode 10. Monty Out. Sacco In.

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Dylan Strome skating for the Washington Capitals

NHL Game Preview: Los Angeles Kings at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 12/22/2024

Los Angeles Kings (19-9-5, 43 Pts) at Washington Capitals (22-8-2, 46 Pts)Venue: Capital One ArenaDate: Tonight – Sunday, December 22Time: 5:00 pm EST TV: ESPN+Radio:Los Angeles – ESPN Radio 710Washington – Caps Radio 24/7 DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Los Angeles +1.5 ML +130Washington -1.5 ML -155O/U 5.5 Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster Los Angeles Kings News & […]

Read More
Sergei Bobrovsky in net for the Florida Panthers

NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning with Line Combinations 12/22/2024

Florida Panthers (21-11-2, 44 Pts) at Tampa Bay Lightning (18-10-2, 38 Pts)Venue: Amalie ArenaDate: Tonight – Sunday, December 22Time: 5:00 pm EST TV: ESPN+, FanDuel Sports Network Sun, SCRIPPSRadio:Florida – 560 Sports WQAMTampa Bay – 102.5 The Bone DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:Florida -1.5 ML -112Tampa Bay +1.5 ML -230O/U 6 Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster Florida […]

Read More
Edmonton Oilers celebrating a goal

Edmonton Oilers Pregame Thoughts

These comeback wins we’re seeing lately have been pretty fun for Oilers fans. Seeing 22-year-old Yaroslav Askarov, the 11th overall pick by Nashville in 2020, come up with a 39-save performance and almost steal 2 points from us reminded Edmonton Oilers fans of when Lukas Dostal goalie-d our team for the Ducks at this same […]

Read More