Felger: The Bruins have rounded into playoff form
In late March the Boston Bruins were called out by their coach following a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and a terrible start to their following practice. Since being called out by Jim Montgomery the team has responded by going 5-1 over the next 6 games. On Monday’s Felger and Mazz, the guys gave some thoughts on the recent play of the Bruins.
The Bruins have responded to their coach calling them out…
Felger: Alright, four games left and they’re starting to do the thing. And it coincided with Jim Montgomery calling him out after that March 25th practice said they’re “not ready for the playoffs”. In the 6 games since then they’re 5-1. The only loss was the second night of a back to back in Tampa. They have allowed 11 goals in the six games since and one of those was an empty netter so 10 goals in the run of play, if you will. In the six games since the guy that I look at, and again not that he factored in big and this Florida win on the weekend but he did have an assist in that game, David Pastrnak. In the six game since that call out he has 8 points in 6 games, he’s a plus-8, and I went and looked at this and I think I have it right, I might have missed one, but I think he has not been on the ice for five on five goal against since Montgomery called them out. And I say “them” meaning the team. He was on the ice for Tampa’s empty net goal, and he was on the ice Saturday for the four on four goal that Florida scored in the third to tie, but that was four on four. He has not been on the ice for five on five goal against since that March 25th practice. To which I say again, if you’re going to play like that, I’m here for it. It’s about time. God bless. Play that way, lead the team, be responsible, still produce offensively, be that guy. So it’s been a nice little story there. We’ll see what that all means when it matters in two weeks. But that has happened that Montgomery called the out and they’ve rounded into playoff form.
Mazz: I feel like they buckled it down or buttoned it down, particularly in their own end. Like they’re even when they’re giving up chances, the goalies are making the stop and they’re better in front of the net. How many guys have you seen in this last two weeks that have been either behind or alongside the goalie to keep the puck out of the net? I mean, it’s happened 2 or 3 times at least. Every other game. So I think they’re doing a better job of that. And to me, they’re not going to be the type of team that beat someone 6 to 5. I just think they’re going to have a hard time generating that kind of offense. They’re going to have to do it more on their own end and grind out some goals.
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!
Mazz's Tiers: Best Boston teams that didn't win a championship
Tier 1
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 30: David Krejci #46 of the Boston Bruins reacts after Florida Panthers defeat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
1970-71 Boston Bruins – 1st round loss to the Montreal Canadiens
1975 Boston Red Sox – 96-65 record – Lose in World Series to Cincinnati Reds
1978-79 Boston Bruins – “Too Many Men” penalty
1978 Boston Red Sox – 99-64 record – Miss the playoffs by 1 game
1986 Boston Red Sox – Bill Buckner
2007 New England Patriots – Undefeated season – Lose in Super Bowl
2022-23 Boston Bruins – Best NHL Regular Season – First round loss
Tier 2
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a layup against Jaylen Brown #7 and Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
1976 New England Patriots – 11-3 record – Lose to Oakland Raiders in Divisional Round
2003 Red Sox – Grady Little
2011 Red Sox – “Best Team Ever” misses the playoffs
2017 New England Patriots – 13-3 record – Lose to Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl
2018-19 Boston Bruins – Lose to St. Louis Blues in Stanley Cup Finals – 1-3 record at home in Finals.
2017-18 Boston Celtics – Lose in Conference Final to Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 Boston Celtics – Lose 2-1 series lead in NBA Finals – Lose series 4-2.
2009 and 2010 Boston Celtics – 2009 – Kevin Garnett Injury – 2010 – Lose to Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Finals
Tier 3
Sep 20, 2019; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (20) watches game action during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1967 Boston Red Sox – 92-70 record – Lost in World Series
1986 and 1987 Boston Celtics – Lost both times to Los Angeles Lakers in Finals in 6 games
1988 and 1990 Boston Bruins – Lost to Edmonton Oilers both years in Stanley Cup Final
2008 Boston Red Sox – Defending Champions – Lost to Tampa Bay Rays in American League Championship Series in 7 games
2009 and 2010 Boston Bruins – 2009 – Lost to Carolina Hurricanes – 2010 Blew 3-0 series lead and a 3-0 game 7 lead in 7 game loss to Philadelphia Flyers
2013 Boston Bruins – Lost to Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 Stanley Cup Final
2019 Boston Red Sox – Defending Champions – Missed playoffs with 84-78 record
