Is the Bruins loss the biggest choke job ever?

[Dr Jan Itor]

Any 3-0 series is in its own tier.

Bruins this year is probably one of the higher one of the next tier down though.

Marchand probably has the most impactful breakaway miss of all time, which is pretty cool.

 

[Crosby2010]

The Penguins in 1993 losing to the Islanders is probably what I would think the biggest upset in NHL history namely because they were two-time champs who had just led the entire NHL in points. Mario was having the best season of his life and they really had no weakness. Plus Pierre Turgeon was injured for the Isles. This was a scrappy lunch pail team that had some character guys but should have never competed with the Penguins. I don't know if you call that one a choke job or an upset more but either way it was bad.

The Bruins definitely choked. Because they were up 3-1 and couldn't win two overtime games after that. They coughed up the puck to Tkachuk in Game 5 and they just let the Panthers hang around even in Game 6. Game 6 was the killer for them. They were up 5-4 with less than 10 minutes to go. I was watching that game in a sports bar and I just thought ordered had been restored and these are the Bruins so they'll hang onto that lead. 30 seconds later it's tied on the same power play the Bruins just scored against the Panthers. I mean, you score a short handed goal to make it 5-4 in the third and that should be demoralizing for the Panthers but it wasn't and they stormed back for three goals.

But I am not sure the word "choke" applies worse to anyone but the 1982 Oilers. Not only do they still own the record for losing to a team that they had the most point differential to in NHL history (48 vs. the Bruins/Panthers with 43) but Game 3 was an abomination. That was the key right there. Blowing a 5 goal third period lead and then losing in overtime. But even before that you saw some mistakes on their end. The Oilers blew a lead in Game 1, they needed a late goal to force overtime in Game 2 and really only Game 4 was the only game where they seemed to be in control the whole time. Despite all of that they still had Game 5 at home for the final game and they were down 6-2 by the end of the 2nd period. Losing 7-4. They were young and immature and it obviously paved a way for a dynasty, but man that's a choke job.

 

[JianYang]

It always sucks to lose when up 3-1, but there were some warning signs that I think were getting glossed over just because of how the regular season went.

I've been saying for this years that when it comes right down to it, Bergeron is the glue. The fact that he he was hurting , and their best centers were older in general had to be of some concern for Boston, because that center position is so key to cup wins.

The other question was how ullmark would hold up with 2 playoff games under his belt before this series.

Blowing a 3-1 series lead will always have a choke hazard assigned to it, and rightfully so. However, when you look under the hood, I can't truthfully say it's the biggest choke job ever. Key injuries at the wrong time are difficult to overcome for any team.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

How is it the biggest choke job ever? The bruins were old, injured and overrated

Goalie got hurt so good luck

 

[JEM28]

Yes. They were so unbelievably stacked.

But at the same time they weren’t. Many of us saw the 65 wins as humorous at times because they just kept pulling Ws From the jaws of Ls , being bailed out by the goalies.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Boston most likely makes the final if they beat the Panthers, how would they match up against Vegas?

 

[um]

Boston most likely makes the final if they beat the Panthers, how would they match up against Vegas?

They were pretty injured for round one, can’t imagine how banged up they’d be by this point.

 

[FU Shoresy]

Boston most likely makes the final if they beat the Panthers, how would they match up against Vegas?

Boston lost to them in a SO at home. Then beat them in Vegas 3-1, 6 days later. I don't recall if Vegas was playing with a full squad. The B's controlled the game in Vegas. Which I was at. It was a good match up. Fla gave us fits during the regular season. Teams that play fast with a heavy forecheck is what gave the B's trouble the past few years. I didn't like the match up vs. Fla from the start. With the way they played us. But going up 3-1 you have to find a way to close it out.

 

[General Fanager]

The question the OP asked was answered correctly in post #2


I am curious why we are on page 23

 

[My3Sons]

28-3

 

[Bruin]

Man, blowing it 3-1 I think makes it worse than Tampa.

No, getting swept by a team they should have easily beat gives Tampa that trophy.

 

[MOGlLNY]

No, getting swept by a team they should have easily beat gives Tampa that trophy.

Thanks Bruin, knew I could count on you to be unbiased!

 

[Bruin]

Thanks Bruin, knew I could count on you to be unbiased!

If the Bruins would have been swept then I would agree with you but they didn’t and they got eliminated in OT of game 7. Clowns all over this board talked all season about how the Bruins weren’t actually that good despite their incredible record yet they want to clown them about being eliminated in the first round. So which is it, were they overrated or were they as good as their record indicated? Can’t have it both ways.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

Thanks Bruin, knew I could count on you to be unbiased!

Is he wrong?

 

[Suntouchable13]

If the Bruins would have been swept then I would agree with you but they didn’t and they got eliminated in OT of game 7. Clowns all over this board talked all season about how the Bruins weren’t actually that good despite their incredible record yet they want to clown them about being eliminated in the first round. So which is it, were they overrated or were they as good as their record indicated? Can’t have it both ways.

For me, as an outsider, I was concerned for them that their top 2 Cs were on the back half of their careers. Was that not a concern for Bruins fans?

 

[MOGlLNY]

Is he wrong?

It could absolutely be argued he's wrong, yeah.

If the Bruins would have been swept then I would agree with you but they didn’t and they got eliminated in OT of game 7. Clowns all over this board talked all season about how the Bruins weren’t actually that good despite their incredible record yet they want to clown them about being eliminated in the first round. So which is it, were they overrated or were they as good as their record indicated? Can’t have it both ways.

Please show me in my post where I said either of those things about the Bruins?

 

[ArGarBarGar]

It could absolutely be argued he's wrong, yeah.

You didn't do that. You immediately dismissed what he said because he is a Bruins fan.

 

[MOGlLNY]

You didn't do that. You immediately dismissed what he said because he is a Bruins fan.

How about the fact I do not care enough to go into detail and proceed to get into a pissing match with a Bruins fan about a post I made a month and a half ago.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

How about the fact I do not care enough to go into detail and proceed to get into a pissing match with a Bruins fan about a post I made a month and a half ago.

Then why are you still responding to said Bruins fan?

 

[MOGlLNY]

Then why are you still responding to said Bruins fan?

I said I don’t care enough to go into detail and get into a pissing match. Didn’t say I don’t care enough to respond.

 

[Hisch13r]

Still TB for not even getting a game and losing to a worse team.

 

[John Mandalorian]

It always sucks to lose when up 3-1, but there were some warning signs that I think were getting glossed over just because of how the regular season went.

I've been saying for this years that when it comes right down to it, Bergeron is the glue. The fact that he he was hurting , and their best centers were older in general had to be of some concern for Boston, because that center position is so key to cup wins.

The other question was how ullmark would hold up with 2 playoff games under his belt before this series.

Blowing a 3-1 series lead will always have a choke hazard assigned to it, and rightfully so. However, when you look under the hood, I can't truthfully say it's the biggest choke job ever. Key injuries at the wrong time are difficult to overcome for any team.

Bennett was more or less missing as much time as Bergeron.

 

[Oheao]

If Detroit hadn't scored in game 7 OT against St. Louis in 1996 it would have been that, Detroit had 51 more points than St. Louis (compared to Edmonton having 48 more than LA when they got upset).

 

[Bruin]

For me, as an outsider, I was concerned for them that their top 2 Cs were on the back half of their careers. Was that not a concern for Bruins fans?

Absolutely it was.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

But at the same time they weren’t. Many of us saw the 65 wins as humorous at times because they just kept pulling Ws From the jaws of Ls , being bailed out by the goalies.

This is a pretty honest and accurate take.

I want to call this the worst ever, because I don't like the Bruins, but I think most people knew the record was a bit of a mirage. Still probably the best overall team when healthy, but they couldn't stay healthy.

Once NJ lost to Carolina, I kind of lost faith in the Cup winner coming from the East.