New Boston Bruins chairman Charlie Jacobs laid down the law earlier this month by stating that the Bruins were in the midst of an “unacceptable” season. But since then, Boston went into the All-Star break as one of the hottest teams in the NHL with seven wins in eight games, to extend their lead to seven points of the Florida Panthers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Jacobs lays down the Law
Jacobs ranted at his introductory news conference about the Bruins poor play.
“It’s unacceptable the way that this team has performed given the amount of time, money, and effort that’s been spent on this team,” said the new Bruins boss. “To see it delivered the way it has is unacceptable. I can tell you that at the moment it’s a very fluid situation that’s being monitored closely.”
Boston was a perennial conference Final contender for several years that included a 2011 Stanley Cup championship and a berth in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. But last year, the Bruins lacked discipline and fell apart in their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens in which they were upset in seven games.
Defenseman and team captain Zdeno Chara stated that the Bruins heard what Charlie Jacobs said and that they will deliver. “We will make it happen,” said Chara. “We don’t just believe it will happen, we will make it happen.”
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Not Impressed
The recent success of the Bruins did little to cool down Jacobs, who took over the reins from his father Jeremy Jacobs, who, at age 74, will retain an active role with the team.
“Certainly trending better,” Jacobs said. “We still have the odd game where we seem to be a bit uninspired. I suppose you’re going to have that in an 82-game schedule. Having said that, all the stuff that we’ve done and the better play has gotten us to eighth place. Do I wish we were in better position than we are? Absolutely.
“Again I‘ll repeat. For this team to be even close to missing the playoffs isn’t something that we can be happy about. I’m still looking for the turn, completely”
Lucic and Rask step Up
Left wing Milan Lucic optimizes the Bruins with a playing style that combines nastiness with solid skills. After a slow and, at times, lethargic start, Lucic had three goals and four assists in his last ten games before the break.
Goaltender Tuukka Rask was finally hitting full stride with a .946 save percentage in his last nine games before the break.
