The Boston Bruins were routed by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning, who handed them a crushing 6-2 loss amid an intense battle for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the disappointing defeat, goaltender Jeremy Swayman delivered a harsh reminder to interim head coach Joe Sacco and the rest of the team, as the Bruins squander great opportunities to climb in the standings.
The ‘Spoked B’ is slipping in the playoff race, sitting four points behind the New York Rangers for the WC2 berth—despite having played one more game than the Blueshirts. It’s not looking pretty for Sacco and the Bruins, and their NHL season could be headed for the gutters if they don’t flip the script soon.
The Bruins have one game left in their five-game Atlantic Division stretch, which started strong with big wins over Tampa Bay and Florida but hit a major bump with deflating losses to Ottawa and the Lightning.
Boston needs a strong run of results in the upcoming games to get back into the postseason conversation. However, instead of building momentum, the Bruins deliver big performances in fits and starts, but struggle to find consistency.
It’s been the common theme of Joe Sacco’s team during the 2024-25 NHL campaign, and Swayman had enough as he issued a strong message after being embarrassed by Tampa Bay at TD Garden.
“Nobody respects us, and that’s something that we need to get behind, and I think that we can do it,” Swayman admitted after the 6-2 loss at home, via NESN. “We just have to keep ourselves to a standard that has been met every game, and that’s something that we need to work on.”
Taking over the reins
The Bruins’ locker room stood witness as captain Brad Marchand was traded to the Florida Panthers, leaving a significant void that must be addressed immediately.
Boston has no shortage of potential captains and vocal leaders, but the title must be earned. These final games of the season could help paint a clearer picture of who deserves to wear the ‘C’ in Beantown. As questions arise after Marchand’s departure, Swayman made it clear: the ‘Bruins’ Way’ isn’t fading anytime soon within the organization.
“It’s a standard led by example, and that’s all that we can do. The guys that have been in here for a while, seeing the right guys do it, that’s what we’re here for. It’s been my job, it’s been all these other guys’ jobs that have been here, and seeing the right leaders do it, to continue the standard that’s built here. We’re not going to let it slip on our watch.”
Words are wind, nevertheless. Swayman and the Bruins must back their talk with action and return to the win column when they take on the Buffalo Sabres at home on March 17.