Boston Bruins Have Struck an Agreement with The Tampa Bay Lightning For…

Unfortunately, the Boston Bruins are, quite well, knee-deep in a swamp. While losing streaks, periods of bad play, and, of course, bad bounces are unavoidable, navigating those inevitabilities can feel like navigating a swamp.

The Bruins are 1-3-1 since the All-Star break and have alternated between being unable to move out of their own way and being mentally unprepared for the game. It has been the former rather than the latter, with the exception of last Saturday’s defeat to the Washington Capitals.

Boston fought back from a 2-0 deficit against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, and they had two excellent opportunities to win in regulation. In the last seconds of the third period, Brad Marchand’s stick found its way past a flailing Andrei Vasilevskiy, but the shot went just over the bar. Then, with overtime winding down, Charlie Coyle discovered the puck on his stick, only to have Anthony Cirelli drag him down in the slot. Boston had opportunities, but Tampa won the shootout.

Similarly, with the game tied 1-1 against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, Boston was given a power play. After positioned himself behind Joey Daccord, James van Riemsdyk skillfully deflected a pass into the blue paint and sadly just wide of the post. Eli Tolvanen gave Seattle a 2-1 lead moments later with an odd-man rush that was made possible by Brandon Carlo losing his edge at his offensive blue line.

Head coach Jim Montgomery stated, “Right now, we’re not getting the results.” “Some sandpaper goals where it goes off of us and stuff will be needed.” Their recent troubles can be primarily attributed to their rising frustration, which has not made it easier to execute a 2-for-30 power play in their last nine games.

Still, a little late-season misfortune never did anyone any harm. Boston had it all their own way not that long ago, so learning to persevere through hardship and overcome it is a test of willpower.

I’ll leave you with a comment from former Bruin Brett Ritchie, given how much time has been spent this season remembering 100 years of Boston Bruins hockey. This season has 82 games. It wasn’t going to be 80-3 or anything like that.