The losing slump extended to eight games during the Boston Bruins‘ visit to the Detroit Red Wings, as the Spoked B continues to spiral further out of reach from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins are eight points behind a wild card spot, with just eight games remaining in their NHL season. Following the gut-wrenching loss at Little Caesars Arena, Joe Sacco issued a rough confession.
The Bruins are apparently making their peace with the fact they won’t be participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or so it seems. It’s been a rough 2024-25 NHL season, characterized by a rollercoaster of emotions, though most of them weren’t positive in Boston.
As the Bruins continue their winless skid, their playoff chances get slimmer by the second, and Joe Sacco recognizes his time as interim head coach may be reaching its end as he fails to right the ship.
After the narrow 2-1 defeat against the Red Wings, Sacco voiced a deflating admission, as the puck bounces the other way, once again, for Boston.
Head Coach Joe Sacco of the Boston Bruins looks on against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center on December 04, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t come away with the result that we wanted to,” Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco stated, via NESN. “Obviously, it’s frustrating. I feel for the guys. We gave a solid effort here, we just fell short. We weren’t able to capitalize on a few of our chances there, especially one at the end. It didn’t go in – I don’t know if that’s because things aren’t going well.”
see also
Joe Sacco’s disheartening 7-word statement after Bruins’ loss to Ducks sums up lackluster NHL season in Boston
Bruins president Cam Neely addresses Sacco’s future
With the regular season winding down, the Bruins face a tough decision as they look to fill their head coaching vacancy. Sacco’s tenure as interim head coach has seen its share of ups and downs, but inconsistency has plagued the team, with momentum constantly disrupted by fits and starts.
However, Bruins president Cam Neely issued a strong message, stating the current interim coach will be in consideration for the job ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.
“Neely said Sacco ‘will be in the mix’ when he and Sweeney have offseason discussions about what direction they will go in a coaching search,” The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride stated.
Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins walks the red carpet prior to the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Brookfield Place on November 13, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.
Strange times
It hasn’t been a typical campaign by Boston’s standards. The team has found itself stuck in losing slumps more often than riding winning streaks, and the postseason feels more like a fading dream than a tangible goal.
“I mentioned to the whole coaching staff recently that Don [Sweeney] and I certainly appreciate the job that they’re doing,” Neely said in dialogue with The Boston Globe. “Again, it’s something we’re not really accustomed to here. We’re usually playing games, meaningful games, at this time of the year and getting ready for playoffs, and I think Joe stepped in and early on we were playing very well.
“We had a pretty good record and then we just stopped playing the way we should play for a stretch there and it really hurt us, but not the easiest situation for Joe to come in. But he’s handled it very well.”
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Should Joe Sacco become the Boston Bruins\' head coach during the 2025-26 NHL season?
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While the Bruins might not make the postseason, they eagerly hope to snap their slump, as they have lost eight games in a row and gear up to take on the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals, at home on April 1.
