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)
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
