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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…

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MARCH 26: The Boston Bruins celebrate a second period goal by David Pastrnak #88 (2nd from right) against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on March 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

SUNRISE, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: The Boston Bruins celebrate a second period goal by David Pastrnak #88 (2nd from right) against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on March 26, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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

It's time for the latest Mazz's Tiers! This week, Mazz ranks the Boston Sports teams that were one of the higher seeds in their conference or league's playoffs, or had high preseason expectations, but ultimately couldn't cross the finish line as champions!

But before the tiers, here's a look at some teams on the list....

The 2022-23 Boston Bruins set NHL records for most wins in a regular season (65) and most points in a regular season (135). They ultimately lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Florida Panthers.

The 2007 New England Patriots completed the undefeated regular season. They would go on to make the Super Bowl where they would fall to the New York Giants. They ended the season 18-1 overall.

The 2011 Boston Red Sox were coined the "Best Team Ever" by the Boston Herald before the season. The best team ever went on to miss the playoffs with a 90-72 record. Their 7-20 record in September was ultimately their downfall.

The 2009-10 Boston Bruins were well on their way to an Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Montreal Canadiens. However, they would collapse and blow a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers and lose in seven games. The Bruins had a 3-0 in game seven but would blow that and lose 4-3 to the Flyers in both the game and the series.

The 2019 Boston Red Sox brought back much of the same roster from their 2018 World Series Championship run. That team would underperform and miss the playoffs with an 84-78 record.

The 1970-71 Boston Bruins were far and away the best team in hockey and the defending Stanley Cup Champions. They were the favorites to repeat as champions, however, they would run into a red hot Ken Dryden and the Montreal Canadiens, who would ultimately down the Bruins in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs. That team would bounce back the next season to win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons.

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)Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

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

gsw

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

2019 cora

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

Kevin Maggiore has been producing on the Felger & Mazz program since January of 2022 and has been producing with 98.5 The Sports Hub since 2018. Kevin also produces New England Patriots broadcasts on The Sports Hub and has produced Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins broadcasts in the past. Kevin grew up in Saugus, Massachusetts and is still in the area today. A lifelong hockey fan, Kevin collects hockey jerseys and has over 100 jerseys in his collection. Kevin loves spending his time away from the office on the golf course. Kevin writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.