Opinion: Old Demons Haunting the Boston Bruins

Jim Montgomery behind the bench for the Boston Bruins
Photo: AP Photo/Mark Stockwell

We’re only 14 games into the 2024-25 Boston Bruins season, and as of November 6th, they sit just a point off Tampa Bay for third in their division. But one can’t help but feel this iteration of the Bruins more closely resembles the 2014-15/2015-16 version rather than the world-beaters of years past. 

A brief retrospective: In 2015 and 2016, the Bruins failed to make the playoffs after riding the coattails of a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2013 and a Presidents Trophy in 2014.

Related Post: Opinion: Boston Bruins Should Test the Trade Market with Soon to be Free Agent

Determining what ultimately sinks an 82-game-long season is never easy. But lackluster offense certainly doesn’t help. Patrice Bergeron set the high-water mark for points in both years with 55 and 68. Unsurprising their power play operated at 17.84%, slightly below league average, and 20.51%, which was slightly above league average. Compare that to 2022-2024 team leader David Pastrnak and his 223 points and consecutive power plays clicking at 22.22%, and the difference is obvious.

Unlike their Montgomery-era predecessors, who lost a combined 32 regulation games. Boston is off to their worst start at 6-7-1, holds a -12 goal differential, an abysmal 13.33% power play, and a woeful 76.19% penalty kill. What were once pillars of their structure are now the very things holding them back. 

Take the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers, for example. They’re all enjoying tremendous starts and feature at least one member in the league’s top 10 in points scored. In short, success often comes off the back of your best players. While Pastrnak and Brad Marchand top Boston’s point production, the top five are rounded out by Mark Kastelic and Cole Koepke. Depth scoring is always welcome. But its a clear everyone has more to contribute.

Glancing at NHL.com’s league-wide point leaders and you’ll need to scroll to find a Bruin. Pastrnak ranks 82nd, Marchand 110th, and Hampus Lindholm, Boston’s point leader on defense, is 310th.

Related Post: Boston Bruins Place Forward on Waivers

Now is it fair to expect your stars will carry you to victory night in and night out? Of course not. At the same time, you’d like them not to put you at a disadvantage. Montgomery went after Marchand on the bench in Utah for a turnover, which ultimately resulted in a disallowed goal against. Last week, Pastrnak sat out the entirety of the third period against the Seattle Kraken, a “coaches decision.”

Truthfully, you never know which version of this team you’re going to get. Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Whether it’s getting your doors blown off by the Hurricanes on Halloween, rebounding for back-to-back shutouts of the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle, or going belly up against an Auston Matthews-less Toronto Maple Leafs, any step forward seems to require two backward.

Granted, they hold the benefit of not only time but equally mundane starts from division rivals, enabling them to turn things around. But ask anyone who has found themselves stuck in a New England blizzard, and they’ll tell you whenever your tires are spinning, seconds feel like an eternity until you find traction. 

For now here’s to hoping they bust out of their funk. As well as the Ottawa Senators not calling up their third string goalie who goes 20–1–2 to end the season. Or this year’s version of Brent Connolly doesn’t break his finger mere days after joining the team via trade. 

Season 4. Episode 30. The Bruins Are Watching The Playoffs Bruins Benders Podcast

 Join the Bruins Benders Podcast as they cover the HOTTEST topics in the Boston Bruins market, along with…- Mike Sullivan Fired. Does he end up in Boston?- Bruins can pick 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. Where do they end up?- Who should the Bruins pick at 1 or 2 and 5 through 7?- Pasta and other Bruins going to play at the Mens World Championships. Should they be resting instead?& 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 30. The Bruins Are Watching The Playoffs
  2. Season 4. Episode 29. The Offseason Begins.
  3. Season 4. Episode 28. A Major Announcement
  4. Season 4. Episode 27. Losing, It's Called Bruins.
  5. Season 4. Episode 26. Is Swayman a Diva?

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights

Edmonton Oilers Playoff Thoughts: Round 2 Game 1

Hockey weekends like this past one are always more fun when it’s not your team playing a tight and stressful game. But now it’s time we got back to watching our games. As I’m writing this, the Los Angeles Kings are mutually parting ways with former defenseman and now former GM Rob Blake. I alluded […]

Read More
NHL Draft Lottery

Detroit Red Wings Fall in Draft Lottery Once Again

The NHL Draft Lottery was held last night before game one of the second-round series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. The Detroit Red Wings once again fell in the draft, this time to number 13. The New York Islanders will have the first pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, while the […]

Read More
NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights with Line Combinations 5/5/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights with Line Combinations 5/6/2025

NHL Playoff Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights with Line Combinations 5/5/2025

Read More