Can the Bruins recent slump help them going forward? – Felger & Mazz
The Boston Bruins once again blew a 3rd period lead on Monday night in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Kraken in Seattle to close out their four-game road trip….
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 26: Kailer Yamamoto #56 of the Seattle Kraken scores against Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins during a shootout at Climate Pledge Arena on February 26, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Boston Bruins once again blew a 3rd period lead on Monday night in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Kraken in Seattle to close out their four-game road trip. On Tuesday's Felger and Mazz, the guys discussed the continues struggles of the Bruins and wonder if the slump they are stuck in could ultimately help them in the long run.
Can the Bruins facing some adversity help them in the long run?
Felger: In some weird way, does this set them up better for the playoffs than last year?
Mazz: I know what you mean. Expectations are lower and they might be able to sneak up on someone.
Felger: And again, I don't know how they're going to have low expectations when they just might have won the Presidents Trophy again. I mean, they're right there. They're a point or two from the best record in the league. So I don't know how low the expectations are going to be. I'm more talking about just, you know, just getting hit in the honker over and over and over again then eventually you figure it out or you're just more battle tested and you're more prepared for that situation when it really happens...
Mazz: Or the other thing happens....
Feb 26, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save against Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during an overtime shootout at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Felger: Or you just keep doing it over and over and over again. But all I'm saying is last yea they had such little adversity. I mean, it's true, it was such an epic season that when the Panthers challenged them, they weren't ready for it. They just hadn't faced it. This year, they're facing it over and over and over again. Does that in some weird sort of hockey way, make them in a better spot to withstand it when it happens, when it really counts?
Mazz: I mean, it can. The fact that it's happening over and over again certainly makes them aware to it or awakens them to it. So there's the capacity there for them to play better than they've played. Like that's a given.
Jim Murray: There's definitely something to it.
Felger: Can they just close it out?
Jim Murray: Yeah, I'd like to see some of these start going their way. Since the All-Star break they've been outscored 14to 6 in the 3rd period. That's not including empty net goals against. They just have been wretched in the 3rd. They can't close these games.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Ranking the Boston Bruins alternate jerseys
Since 1995 the Boston Bruins have seemingly always had an alternate jersey in the years that the NHL has allowed them. Here are my rankings of the Bruins alternates since 1995.
(This list doesn't include jerseys that were ONLY worn in a Winter Classic and the two reverse retro jersey's.)
5. 2016-17 Alternate Jersey (also the 2016 Winter Classic Jersey)
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesFOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 01: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins looks on in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This was originally used as the 2016 Winter Classic jersey, but became the full-time alternate for the 2016-17 season. It’s not that I don’t like the jersey, it’s just that it brings back some terrible memories to when the team wore it at Gillette Stadium and got absolutely roasted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 Winter Classic.
4. 2019-Present Alternate
Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 16: David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at TD Garden on January 16, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images )
This jersey is just boring to me. I’m also not a fan of the big “B” on the front. I liked the 2019 Winter Classic look that this jersey basically followed up on, but for some reason this one just doesn’t fit my eye.
3. 2006-07 Alternate
BOSTON - NOVEMBER 16: P.J. Axelsson #11 of the Boston Bruins skates against Michael Peca #27 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 16, 2006 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Bruins wore this jersey as an alternate for one year before Reebok took over and we got a newer version of the spoked-B. The spoked-B on this jersey is my favorite and I hope they go back to it soon. This jersey was a throwback to the late 60’s to early 70’s and is a really great look.
2. 2008-2016 Alternate
BOSTON - DECEMBER 05: Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins is congratulated by teammates Michael Ryder #73, Zdeno Chara #33 and David Krejci #46 after Boychuck scored his first NHL goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 5, 2009 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 7-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
I loved this alternate for the Bruins because there wasn’t much to it. They literally took the shoulder patch logo and dropped it on the front of the jersey. The look was a clean look and it didn’t stray too far from the home/away jersey design. Overall, one of my favorite Bruins jerseys.
1. 1995-2006 Alternate
21 Mar 1998: Leftwinger Sergei Samsonov of the Boston Bruins in action during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Bruins defeated the Sabres 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Craig Melvin /Allsport
You either love the Pooh Bear jersey or you hate the Pooh Bear jersey and I love it. Nothing brings back the early memories for me like seeing the original Pooh Bear jersey. This was my favorite Bruins jersey until they topped it with the reverse retro Pooh Bear jersey. They need to bring the original yellow Pooh Bear jersey back.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
