The Boston Bruins have been one of the most successful franchises in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL), with six Stanley Cup championships to their name. However, their quest for a seventh title has been elusive in recent years, as they have failed to win the Cup since 2011. This year, the Bruins were once again considered one of the top contenders for the championship, but their hopes were dashed in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Islanders. So what went wrong for the Bruins, and why do they seem to be cursed when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup?
One factor that may have contributed to the Bruins’ playoff disappointment this year is the so-called “Presidents’ Trophy curse.” The Presidents’ Trophy is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record in the NHL, and it is often seen as a predictor of playoff success. However, in recent years, many Presidents’ Trophy winners have struggled in the playoffs, failing to advance past the second round. In fact, only two teams in the past decade have won both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup: the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and the Washington Capitals in 2018.
The Bruins were one of the best teams in the NHL during the regular season, finishing with a record of 33-16-7 and earning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time since 2014. However, their success in the regular season did not translate to the playoffs, as they were eliminated in six games by the Islanders. Some analysts have suggested that the pressure of being the top seed in the Eastern Conference may have weighed on the Bruins, leading to a lack of focus and intensity in the playoffs.
Another factor that may have contributed to the Bruins’ playoff collapse is their lack of depth and scoring production. While the Bruins have some of the best players in the NHL, including forwards Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, they struggled to get consistent production from their supporting cast in the playoffs. In particular, the Bruins’ second line of David Krejci, Taylor Hall, and Craig Smith was largely ineffective in the series against the Islanders, failing to score a single goal.
Finally, injuries may have played a role in the Bruins’ playoff disappointment. Defenseman Brandon Carlo and forward Curtis Lazar both missed significant time due to injuries, and their absence may have weakened the Bruins’ defensive depth. In addition, goaltender Tuukka Rask was forced to leave Game 5 of the series against the Islanders due to injury, and his replacement, Jeremy Swayman, struggled in his first career playoff start.
Despite their playoff disappointment this year, the Bruins remain one of the top teams in the NHL and will likely be contenders for the Stanley Cup again next season. However, they will need to address some of the issues that plagued them in the playoffs this year, including their lack of depth and scoring production and their susceptibility to injuries. If they can do so, they may be able to break the curse of the Presidents’ Trophy and bring another championship to Boston.
