The Boston Bruins finally put an end to their horrific, ten-game losing slump in the 2024-25 NHL season, which ultimately cost them their chance at a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot. After the dominant 5-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes, goaltender Jeremy Swayman issued an honest statement with a bold promise that may feel like an empty one to Joe Sacco and the fans in Beantown.
The Bruins were officially eliminated from the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in regulation. However, the news only confirmed the inevitable, as the ten-game winless skid had already made it clear to fans in Boston that this Spoked B’s squad wasn’t close to being a playoff-caliber team.
With five games left in their NHL season, Sacco and the Bruins really don’t have anything left to play for. Their pride has been long gone after enduring a series of whooping defeats during their recent skid, and now they are only battling to stay above the last place in the East, where they are currently tied with the Flyers.
The Bruins have hit rock bottom this season. At one point, they languished dead last in the East in April—a feat not accomplished since 1997. With nothing left to play for, Boston was just hoping to get one back and snap their apparently endless slump. That they did, but Swayman’s postgame statement and promise felt a bit too big for the deflating situation in the organization.
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 feels so good, unbelievable,” Swayman said postgame, per NHL.com. “A big weight was released from all of our shoulders. It’s a gratifying feeling to go through it, and finally get out of it and feeling good about our game. It’s so good to see the Garden happy again. It’s a feeling that we’ve missed and it’s addicting, so we’re not going to let that [a losing streak] happen again.”
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NHL News: Bruins’ Joe Sacco makes sincere admission amid franchise-worst 10-game skid in over a decade
Out of context
Obviously, fans want to see their team win every night they walk into the arena and sell out the barn. However, Swayman’s excitement, while reasonable as Boston finally ended its slump, felt a bit exaggerated given the current situation.
The Bruins missed out on the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Yet, that time Boston missed out because of a tie-breaker with the Detroit Red Wings, and was at the gates of making the postseason. This time around, the team’s performance has been inexcusable.
Pastrnak’s statement
David Pastrnak, who most within the organization expect to become the new captain during the 2025-26 campaign, put on a show against the Hurricanes. ‘Pasta’ scored a natural hat trick during the 5-1 victory, including his 40th goal of the season. However, not him nor the team will be popping champagne bottles about it.
David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the third period against the New York Islanders at TD Garden on November 09, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Islanders 5-2.
“It’s a tough situation we’re in as a team to comment on that,” Pastrnak admitted. “It’s a confidence booster and to score 40 I’ll use that as motivation to become a better player for the upcoming days and next season, but right now, I wish we would be in a different situation.”
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Vying to avoid a new losing streak and finish the season in, relatively, high spirits, the Bruins will travel to the state of New York, where they’ll take on the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on April 6th.
