Bruins centered on fine-tuning recreation after clinching playoff berth – NHL.com

Discovering consistency key after 1st-round upset final season
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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Boston Bruins took the anticipated first step after they clinched a berth within the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday.
Their focus now will flip to using their remaining eight regular-season video games, starting in opposition to the Washington Capitals at Capital One Area on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, NESN), to sharpen their recreation for the beginning of the playoffs.
“To be sincere, we knew we had been going to be within the playoffs for some time, in all probability since [the] All-Star break,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery mentioned. “For us, it is extra about battling for positioning proper now, and moving into the playoffs most significantly taking part in the suitable means.”
The Bruins (42-17-15) watched from their lodge in Washington after they certified for the playoffs for the eighth straight season following the Philadelphia Flyers’ loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Boston leads the Florida Panthers by two factors for first place within the Atlantic Division and is three factors behind the New York Rangers for first within the Japanese Convention and within the race for Presidents’ Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL group with essentially the most factors within the common season.
So the Bruins nonetheless have a lot to play for earlier than playoffs start, however they’re in a unique scenario from final season, after they set NHL information for wins (65) and factors (135) through the common season earlier than dropping to the Panthers in seven video games within the Japanese Convention First Spherical.
Being upset by the Panthers final season looms behind their minds, so that they wish to ramp up their recreation and ensure they’re taking part in their greatest in time for his or her playoff opener.
“We thrive after we play a sure means, and after we get away from that we’re a group that may be crushed,” Bruins captain Brad Marchand mentioned. “And I believe the subsequent eight video games our largest problem and what we have to effective tune is ensuring we put that recreation on the ice each single evening. And no matter how drained we’re or the journey or who we’re taking part in, it is about getting ready the identical means every evening.”
The Bruins have not been doing that constantly the previous two months. They’re 11-8-6 in 25 video games since getting back from their break for the 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend, together with losses in three of their previous 4 video games (1-3-0).
Montgomery tried to get the gamers’ consideration with a punishment skate throughout their observe Monday, following losses to the Rangers (5-2 on March 21) and the Flyers (3-2 on Saturday). Boston responded with a 4-3 win at Florida on Tuesday earlier than a 3-1 loss on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday.
“Generally the schedule does not show you how to out, however we did not significantly like our battle degree even if we had been drained [against Tampa Bay],” Montgomery mentioned. “That is the place you have to dig in and attain and discover one other degree and people are the kind of issues that we’re in search of, for extra development earlier than we begin [the playoffs]. Total we’re fairly proud of the place our group recreation is at.”
In his first season as captain, Marchand famous that qualifying for the playoffs is critical, significantly after the Bruins misplaced their prime two facilities when Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired after final season.
“It is powerful since you do not wish to get caught up in it, however it’s one thing to be proud about as a result of there’s a lot parity within the League now that each group is sweet,” he mentioned. “You see it each evening. Anyone can win and it is not simple to win constantly on this league. With the adversity that we went by means of and the quantity of changeover that we had and the gamers that we misplaced, I believed we did a terrific job coming collectively and undertaking what we wanted to to get to the playoffs.
“So, yeah, we do must be happy with it. It’s a huge deal. However, once more, as soon as the playoffs begin, all of it begins once more and there is a lot larger issues at stake.”
The Bruins can turn out to be the fifth group in seven seasons to achieve the Stanley Cup Remaining the season after successful the Presidents’ Trophy, following the Capitals (2018 Stanley Cup winners), Lightning (2020 Cup winners), Colorado Avalanche (2022 Cup winners) and Panthers (reached 2023 Cup Remaining). However additionally they want to recollect the teachings they discovered final season.
“Come playoff time you’ll be able to’t simply flip a change,” Marchand mentioned. “You might want to be prepared and there is quite a lot of groups which might be preventing for his or her lives proper now and taking part in very well. If you do not have that very same mindset, you may get caught off-guard come playoff time. So it is about ensuring that every evening you come ready to play and you do not get complacent in any respect.”

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