Do the Bruins Make the Playoffs? (Pessimism Check)

[DKH]

The way I look at it, they weren't going to make it under Claude anyway, so if they do, it's gravy. I still think they do make it outright, but even if they don't, the last few weeks of hockey have been a real treat to watch. The games were exciting, the style of play was like a breath of fresh air. The players were enjoying themselves and it showed. It was far more fun than seeing them try to steal points by trying to not lose, like they did under Claude for the last 10 years.

Great post

If that Leafs game is a glimpse into what hockey will be and where the rivalry is going I'm excited

After that game

I thought the refs ruined a great game BUT it was a great game

Hated the Leafs (that's good)

They make it and spare me Ottawa and Guy Boucher even if it's Washington or Pittsburgh I'm thrilled

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

Yes. Teams behind them aren't good enough to catch them even if they stumble.

With the way they are playing, Toronto has a real chance of passing us.

Tampa isn't passing us, and it's very doubtful that the Islanders will.

 

[Absurdity]

If they lose the next two games? I don't know, but there's a very good possibility.

In my opinion, they should have made the playoffs last season, and there is enough talent on this team to make the playoffs this season. The defense this year has been better than last season. Is the defense a world beater? No, not when you have McQuaid in your top 4 and are without a high end defenseman on the team. However at forward, there is more than enough talent. We've seen it during Cassidy's tenor as a coach. A top 6 of Marchand, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Krejci, and Backes is a very good top 6. Apart from Spooner, the bottom 6 has been very underwhelming. The 4th line has looked good here and there but are inconsistent. In my opinion the 3rd line is more of the issue and need to contribute more.

In my opinion if the Bruins do not make the playoffs, apart from needing to add on defense, the question everybody should not be asking is, "What forward(s) should the Bruins add to make the team better" but rather, "Is the talent currently on the team the right talent?" And that question includes the bottom 9 as well as Krejci and Backes.

 

[Aeroforce]

I voted yes, for the same reason others have mentioned - Tampa and NYI have been sputtering as well. If this was a year in which more teams were within reach of that last playoff spot, I'd feel differently.

Good on Tampa for staying in it though, considering they were sellers at the deadline (Boyle, Filppula, Bishop).

 

[LSCII]

Who in the Hell are you and what did you do with Lonnie?

I wonder who's trunk Lonnie got stuffed in when they stole his phone to post this. I'm thinking Joe or Trevor.

Sorry for the random outburst of positivity here. I feel like I've woken up from a 10 year long haze of boring, plodding, defensive hockey and I couldn't contain myself.

Was actually talking to Joe via text earlier about my team in the sim. Flying blind is really killing my ability to be competitive.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Predict the same as the last 2 years until I see different

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

I think they will get in and still have a shot at staying ahead of the Leafs . The Leafs have turned the corner to a degree but they aren't there yet . I think they will lose to Columbus tonight . Limping into the playoffs isn't what any of us had hoped for but even if they are bounced early I will still enjoy watching some Bruins playoff hockey , however short lived it may be .

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

I voted no, and that is solely based on my gut feeling, hopefully I'm wrong!

 

[BruinsFan1990]

As of right now? Yes.

If they lose to Tampa tmr night they are out imo. Schedule gets tough down the stretch.

 

[BsEuphoria]

Unfortunately (maybe) it's looking a lot more like it will be WC2 then A3 though, but this may not be as bad as we think if it turns into Col instead of Was.

Honestly, just get in this year. Get the monkey off your back from the past couple seasons so you can move on from that and then just play it out. You never know when lighting in a bottle strikes and they may just get white hot if they make it.

Hoping.....

 

[missingchicklet]

A I have pointed out in other threads, the Bs have been pretty much wretched against the top half of the league under Cassidy. They have been great against the lower half. That doesn't bode well for the Bs when you look at the remaining games. Going to need the teams nipping at their heels to not have strong finishes. I honestly think it's about 50/50 at this point. Voted no. Teams seem to have the Bs figured out better now, plus the line combos don't seem to be generating enough offense to win games consistently enough. All of that won't matter if the Bs can hold serve against non-playoff teams AND the other teams vying to inch into the playoffs choke. It's going to be tight more than likely.

 

[LouJersey]

Great post

If that Leafs game is a glimpse into what hockey will be and where the rivalry is going I'm excited

After that game

I thought the refs ruined a great game BUT it was a great game

Hated the Leafs (that's good)

They make it and spare me Ottawa and Guy Boucher even if it's Washington or Pittsburgh I'm thrilled

Good post. Toronto is def the future and I think the Bruins will be in good shape.

 

[DitClapper]

The next two will tell the story. Big big big games.

 

[LouJersey]

Sorry for the random outburst of positivity here. I feel like I've woken up from a 10 year long haze of boring, plodding, defensive hockey and I couldn't contain myself.

Was actually talking to Joe via text earlier about my team in the sim. Flying blind is really killing my ability to be competitive.

Your team is pretty good. Needs some TLC. It also makes an appealing option to actually working.

 

[wintersej]

I voted yes... but also would have voted yes at this time the last two years. This is probably the best team of those three, but it was the hardest to vote yes on because of the PTSD.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

...

I don't know if it's pessimism or reason.

I voted yes. I'm feeling no.

 

[Ryan77]

Not just about making th playoffs, getting that third seed is so important

 

[yazmybaby]

I vote yes.
Leafs over take us for the 3rd spot in the division, we get the last WC spot.
We end up with 92 pts, Leafs get 95, NYI 88.

 

[bruinmann77]

I will be suprised if this team can get the ship righted

 

[Gordoff]

The past 2 years I voted (capital) NO. This time I say yes (not capitalized). I don't think that they roar into the playoffs but they do get in and make some noise.
This especially holds true it McAvoy and maybe one other (forward) collegian comes out and plays for them. The new blood can do wonders for this team. Anything/one that can keep Hayes and Nash in the press box is a good, positive thing!

 

[Gordoff]

I think they will get in and still have a shot at staying ahead of the Leafs . The Leafs have turned the corner to a degree but they aren't there yet . I think they will lose to Columbus tonight . Limping into the playoffs isn't what any of us had hoped for but even if they are bounced early I will still enjoy watching some Bruins playoff hockey , however short lived it may be .

Thanks for nothin' Columbus!

 

[Coach Parker]

Yes. Teams behind them aren't good enough to catch them even if they stumble.

What if they trip over the boards, smash their face on the ice and break their nose on the ice for a third time?

Even the Islanders can pass that trainwreck.

 

[Coach Parker]

Why wouldn't they make it? They've been playing well since the coaching change, and have been dominating possession all season. Predicting that they won't make it is nothing more than pessimistic paranoia induced by the heartbreak of the last two seasons.

Actually it's called evidence.

It's up to the Boston Bruins to go 2-2 this week. No OT points to either team.

Win these two games and the tension lowers. Problem is that the Islanders are now two points behind them with a game in hand.

 

[Coach Parker]

...

I don't know if it's pessimism or reason.

I voted yes. I'm feeling no.

Same. Gut is saying NO but need a reason to be positive despite years of reality smacking me in the head.

 

[KrejciMVP]

If we are positive, they will make it. Sweeney and Cam need need good vibes and positivity! That's the key. Positivity works better than any deadline trade for a key player.