Bruins Historic Season Ends

So, the Bruins historic season ends in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. When the regular season ended; many predicted the Bruins would win the Stanley Cup. But, what happened?

Bruins Historic Season Ends

Before the regular season ended, the Bruins won the Presidents Trophy. Check out my Bruins Win Presidents Trophy 2023 post to learn more about their season. Since the Bruins were the Number 1 seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs; they would face the Florida Panthers in the first round. Visit my Boston Bruins v Florida Panthers – Round 1 post to learn more about this series.

When the season ended, the Bruins were the heavy favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup. Because the team was consistent throughout the regular season; many thought this was their year.

Even though the Bruins had a 3 – 1 lead against the Panthers; they were never able to win another game to finish off the series.

Since the Bruins only lost 4 times at home during the regular season in regulation; no one thought they would lose so many games at home. But, they did. They dropped 3 straight games at home in under 2 weeks.

In fact, the Bruins Head Coach, Jim Montgomery didn’t feel the team was ready for the playoffs.

Bruins Historic Season Ends – Takeaways from the Series

When the puck dropped in the first round of the playoffs; the team appeared uneasy throughout the series. Whether it was the pressure of winning the Presidents Trophy or the Florida Panthers considered to have shaky goaltending; none of the consistency the Bruins showed during the regular season was present in this series.

At the same time, the Bruins had a lot of turnovers. In addition, the number of goals the Panthers scored was higher than any other team in Round 1 of this year’s playoffs.

Another big factor in this series was the Panthers were the more dominant team from the minute the puck dropped.

Presidents Trophy Curse

So last year, the Panthers won the Presidents’ Trophy. Indeed, it’s ironic that the Bruins faced last year’s winner in the first round.

Although this award is a big honor for any team in the NHL; it has also resulted in many teams losing in the first round of the playoffs. And, this year, the Bruins are the 7th team to have won and been eliminated in the first round.

The other teams to be eliminated are the following.

• 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning
• 2012 Vancouver Canucks
• 2010 Washington Capitals
• 2009 San Jose Sharks
• 2006 Detroit Red Wings
• 2000 St Louis Blues

In fact, there has only been one winner since the 2007-2008 season who won the Presidents Trophy and also won the Stanley Cup Trophy.

Since the Panthers won the Presidents Trophy last year and didn’t win the Stanley Cup; will they win the Stanley Cup this year?

Now, we will have to see if the Presidents Trophy curse will be broken next year.

Going Forward

Because both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are 37 years old and will be Free Agents in July; one or both of them could retire. In addition, there are 11 players on the team that will be eligible for unrestricted or restricted Free Agency this Summer including Bergeron and Krejci.

Moreover, bringing back all of the players from this year’s team is nearly impossible.

With the team going all in to acquire Bertuzzi, Orlov, and Hathaway at the trade deadline; they won’t have another first round draft pick until 2025.

Even though the Bruins were eliminated this year in the first round; they could come back and win the Stanley Cup trophy next year. In fact, the team blew a 3 – 0 lead against the Flyers in 2010 and went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2011. Of course, anything is possible!

Finally, now that the Bruins historic season ends; Boston fans can cheer for the Celtics. The Celtics round 2 playoffs begin tonight. Check out my Celtics v 76ers Round 2 NBA Playoffs 2023 post to learn more about the Celtics.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are the favorite to win the NBA title.

As always, I welcome your comments on the Bruins Historic season ends. Will they turn it around next year?