Is the Bruins loss the biggest choke job ever?

[Hockeyholic]

2013 doesn't actually hurt so badly knowing that Bergeron wasn't going to be cleared by any doctor in the world for game 7 and that Chicago was the better team. I mean the divot in the wall of my 2013 apartment wall doesn't agree with how those 17 seconds felt, but the retrospect of it all made it feel not so bad. 2019 hurts a lot more because they were the better team and Tampa got removed from their path.

This season was just more of a "are you kidding me?" than the horrible pain of 2019. They were up 3-1 without their top 2 centers and we were all looking ahead to the next round. And then Ullmark goes from a .926 save percentage in the first four games to an .825 in games 5 and 6 and clearly looking like he has lost his lateral movement from an injury but isn't taken out until game 7. Bergeron and Krejci come back from their injuries and have no pace and the coach decides that it's a great time to create four new lines that have never played together. Why not break up Gryz/McAvoy while we are at it and put Gryz in the press box? Pucks brush against DeBrusk's fingers and goals get taken away for being a "hand pass". Shit, and then in game 7 they come back from 2-0 to take the lead in the third and a nothing shot to deflects off McAvoy's stuck into the net. Not angry. Not sad. Just aghast at the combination of horribly timed luck and self inflicted wounds.

Boston fans have had some crazy highs and some crazy lows since Adam Vinatieri's foot beat the Rams in 2001. I'll trade all the chokes for the good stuff in a heart beat. And shoot. After being a Boston fan for the 90s ... I'll take the chokes over being mediocre any day.

Good way of looking at it.

 

[BruinLVGA]

I think your "happiness tank" is filled with copium from your first round finals silver medal.

Go listen to your Beatles collection and think of the (very) old times when the Leafs were relevant, will you.

 

[MikeFolignosHelmet]

It was a choke for the ages.

 

[JFedol]

f*** Boston man, could've had a banger final if they didn't decide to lay a wet egg in the first f***ing round, smfh.

f*** Pittsburgh as well, ya'll had one f***ing job.

Disgraceful performances.

 

[Breeze 44]

So is Bruce Cassidy laughing ??

 

[BB79]

Disgraceful performances

Let's add getting dismantled 9-3 in a cup final elimination game to the list of disgraceful performances

 

[cowboy82nd]

Let's add getting dismantled 9-3 in a cup final elimination game to the list of disgraceful performances

What does this have to do with the Bruins? They weren't even there.

 

[Osakahaus]

Boston should be pissed after this season. I'd love to cackle at them, but they'll be back next season with Schmaltz and Cooley somehow

 

[The Marquis]

I've decided (and this may have already been discussed) that the 2019 Lightning choke was worse, because they got swept by Columbus who didn't go on to the SCF. At least the 2023 Bruins managed to win 3 games in the playoffs and lose to the eventual Conf Champs. Sure they had a slightly better reg season record, but they did much better in their playoff series loss than the Lightning did and since the playoffs are the most important part... the biggest choke job is Tampa 2019.

 

[Suntouchable13]

So is Bruce Cassidy laughing ??

Maybe, but sometimes it is best for both parties to move on.

 

[northeastern]

So is Bruce Cassidy laughing ??

Probably. But in reality he wasn't fired because he was a bad coach, he was fired because he lost the room and the players. It just wasn't a fit anymore. And the bruins played well with the change (obviously playoffs didn't go to plan but I think injuries and a hot goalie had a big role in that).

 

[BB79]

What does this have to do with the Bruins? They weren't even there.

I was replying to a post that also included the Penguins, are you blind?

 

[cowboy82nd]

I was replying to a post that also included the Penguins, are you blind?

No, not blind, but didn’t see the original post.

 

[jackjohnson]

Let's add getting dismantled 9-3 in a cup final elimination game to the list of disgraceful performances

The team that got obliterated 9-3 to Vegas is also the team that eliminated Boston

 

[Breakers]

That's not choking, that's just losing. Choking is when you have the series wrapped up but can't get it done. They didn't choke if they were completely outclassed by the Blue Jackets in every way. It was certainly one of the biggest playoff disappointments of all time, but I don't think they ever even led in any games.

very good point

 

[BB79]

The team that got obliterated 9-3 to Vegas is also the team that eliminated Boston

Way back in the first round when Lyon/Bob were both hot and Tkachuk and Ekblad were healthy yes. If the Bruins had that luxury they would have smoked them, too.

No, not blind, but didn’t see the original post.

lol sorry for that reply, I was out of line, my apologies

 

[BlueSeal]

Let's add getting dismantled 9-3 in a cup final elimination game to the list of disgraceful performances

*sips his coffee* At least the Cats -made it- to the finals. What’s Boston’s excuse again?

 

[BB79]

*sips his coffee* At least the Cats -made it- to the finals. What’s Boston’s excuse again?

We don't drink coffee at 8pm?

The Panthers took out not only us but Toronto and Carolina as well. I think if one of those teams clobbered Florida, Boston's choke being the worst of all time would be a stronger talking point.

For the record I actually wanted Florida to beat Vegas and was pulling for them after beating the Bruins.

 

[UncleRico]

Might not even be the bruins biggest choke job ever. Up 3-0 in a series against Philly in 2010

 

[BB79]

Might not even be the bruins biggest choke job ever. Up 3-0 in a series against Philly in 2010

Yeah, that one sucked. Then losing to Chicago (13) and St Louis (19) on top of it. This core had 1 cup to show for it and a bunch of failed seasons to go along with it.

 

[UncleRico]

Yeah, that one sucked. Then losing to Chicago (13) and St Louis (19) on top of it. This core had 1 cup to show for it and a bunch of failed seasons to go along with it.

2019 was rough they should have won that. I hold no ill will towards 2013. I thought Chicago was a much better team from the start so I wasn’t as disappointed in that.

 

[BB79]

2019 was rough they should have won that. I hold no ill will towards 2013. I thought Chicago was a much better team from the start so I wasn’t as disappointed in that.

The Bruins were up 3-1 in the 3rd in game 1, they lost in triple OT 4-3. They won the next 2 games. Had they held that game 1 lead they would have been up 3-0. Two of Chicago's wins came in OT including game 1, and they only won by more than 1 goal once, in game 5, 3-1.

Regardless of Chicago having a more impressive roster it was a close series

 

[cowboy82nd]

Way back in the first round when Lyon/Bob were both hot and Tkachuk and Ekblad were healthy yes. If the Bruins had that luxury they would have smoked them, too.


lol sorry for that reply, I was out of line, my apologies

No worries. Have a good day.

 

[Ratsreign]

It's an even bigger choke job when you remember that the Bruins played the first 3 games against Lyon and then Bobrovsky came in after a long layoff and sucked (below .900 save percentage) in 2 of his 4 games as well.

If the Bruins beat Florida, which they should have, I think the Eastern conference winner, whoever that is, easily wins the Cup.

Florida rode an extremely hot goaltender to the Finals getting outplayed every game, including every game against Vegas so far.

You’re a bitter Leafs fan who has still not recovered from it being made evident to all that the Panthers were simply better than the Leafs.
I hope all your excuses help you sleep better at night.

 

[LouJersey]

100% yes. Inexcusable. Lost the series up 3-1 as we as being the greatest team in 100 years. Pathetic