(Photo Credit: Boston Bruins)
By: Evan Michael | Follow me on Twitter @00EvanMichael
Whether it’s The Twelve Days of Christmas ORR The Eight Crazy Nights of Hanukkah ORR even the Festivus Feats of Strength…the Boston Bruins aren’t giving us a lot to be merry and bright about this holiday season–on the ice that is (unless of course we’re Airing Our Grievances ala Tuukka Rask).
Tuukka Rask is VERY MAD at practice you guys pic.twitter.com/LGu2N8fnn6
— RMNB (@russianmachine) December 10, 2019
There’s no discounting the team’s steadfast community support around the giving season, as this Black N’ Gold blogger has documented time and time again.
But, having only one regulation win over the past nine-game time-span — the majority of which has been played at home surrounded by festive fans yearning for yuletide celebrations — well, that constitutes a Grinch-like showing at the very least for Boston.
And “the very least” is exactly what we’ve been gifted since the beginning of December, as the Bruins have been woefully short on every aspect of winning hockey that the team so strongly adhered to in October and November.
Specifically, the inability to protect or extend leads; no clutch goal-scoring; no timely goaltending; and dumbfounded coaching decisions at the end of games and into OT (nevermind the embarrassment that’s called the shootout where the B’s are winless going on almost a year now).
“It’s a long season. Hopefully these things make you stronger and that’s when you have to be behind each other and support each other.”
📰 Last night’s Postgame Rundown: https://t.co/3oJNpx6HKV
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2019
Yet, somehow, someway, the Bruins still have a nine point lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division. I guess OT losses are better than getting blown out, right? Well, that’s the type of thinking akin to the kid who didn’t get what he wanted under the tree or by the Menorah but was happy that he or she at least got something.
Basically, B’s fans have become the “Ralphie” of holiday hockey supporters — grateful for what they’ve got, but not truly satisfied because what they really want may be slipping through their fingertips (and could shoot their eye out).
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgjPa5JkecA]
Then again, we’ll take ANY shot the B’s want to give us since it’s something they don’t do enough of these days, especially in MUST SCORE situations:
How many times are the #Bruins going to get 2 on 1’s and not even get a shot off? Shoot the bleeping puck!
— Jim Crooks (@gansettcrooks) December 12, 2019
I love Bergy, but he had the puck in the slot and he passes to someone. Turn around and shoot. #Bruins #BruinsFam #NHLBruins #NHL
— Joseph Canari (@JoeCanari) December 13, 2019
They keep passing, just shoot the puck for once
— Boston Bruins (@BruinsActivist) December 22, 2019
It’s a message that should be emboldened on any and every gift a B’s player receives between now and the New Year — even if it’s “coal” as Brad Marchand hopes to get Torey Krug. What do us Bruins fans hope to get from our favorite team and players?
#NHLBruins coach Bruce Cassidy on Monday’s game against Washington: “It is a good challenge and that’s OK…it’s a team we’ve struggled with and we know that. Sometimes that’s what you need.” pic.twitter.com/2ckzC0ZAUo
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2019
A WINNING STREAK. Starting Christmas Eve Eve / Hanukkah Night Two / or my favorite holiday of all time: Happy Festivus… for the Rest of Us!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJLmTVL1sc]
Now, where’s Tuukka Rask hiding the pole?
Check out the new Black N’ Gold Hockey Podcast episode 158 that we recorded below! You can find our show on many worldwide platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
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