The Boston Bruins are now on a two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off after squandering their second third-period advantage in two matches.
What might have signified momentum as the team approached the final 25 games of the season has now become a query regarding the team’s appearance when they return to play on Feb. 22 against the Anaheim Ducks.
“Feeling let down by the loss today,” Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov stated to reporters following Boston’s 4-3 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, according to audio provided by the team. “It’s now or never for us.” We squandered the previous two matches, earning four points. It might expense us. Or it might not. “Let’s wait and find out.”
The Eastern Conference is so crowded that on any particular night, teams shift up and down the rankings and fluctuate in and out of a playoff position. The Bruins are presently in a position outside the playoff picture, with the trade deadline on March 7 approaching in a month.
While the locker room leaders have strongly emphasized their “belief” in themselves, Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco believes he lacks influence over the front office’s choices regarding the roster.
“That’s not a question I feel I should answer,” Sacco stated ahead of Boston’s matchup with Vegas, according to audio provided by the team. “Our role as a team and the individuals present is simply to continue striving in every way possible and to aim for the highest level of hockey we can play consistently, game after game.”
If you examine the standings, there are six, possibly even seven teams currently competing for that wild card/third position in the division. Therefore, that truly remains our concentration, and it will persist as our emphasis going ahead.
Even with the ups and downs of the season, Brad Marchand is not willing to abandon his team.
“I believe we can compete with anyone,” Marchand said to reporters, according to audio provided by the team. “The distinctions in the game are very slight margins, minor details, so we simply need to refine it a bit.”
“However, I believe we can compete against anyone.” “We’ve observed nearly everyone at this stage of the season, and I believe there isn’t anyone we can’t compete against.”
Marchand might believe that Boston can reverse its season, but will that be sufficient to persuade Cam Neely and Don Sweeney? Both have indicated that the Bruins are weighing “two options.” Nonetheless, Boston’s recent two-game losing streak might compel its management to consider moving beyond this season and “restructure” the roster for upcoming years.
At the moment, it’s a waiting game to observe Sweeney’s strategy for the team’s future.
