Bruins fans are reaching a boiling point.
After losing three straight road games and having to rally to defeat the New York Islanders, 5-4, in overtime on Sunday night at the TD Garden, Bruins supporters are venting their aggravation and blaming their team’s troubles. Near the end of a season-low 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at home Tuesday night, a cry of “Fire Sweeney” could be heard over the NESN broadcast, and numerous writers at the game confirmed it. I cannot say I blame them.
Bruins fans call for Don Sweeney’s head after loss to Oilers
After their loss to Edmonton, the Bruins remain in third place in the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have five games in hand. In the wild-card race, they are only three points ahead of the final spot, and teams are closing in quickly. With their upcoming schedule, they may find themselves on the outside looking in to the playoffs.
They had a minus-24 goal difference this season, the worst of any team currently in the playoffs. Jeremy Swayman has not been good this season, and the Black and Gold have struggled on defense. Turnovers have resulted in goals or high-danger situations for opposing teams. Let’s not forget that no defenseman has scored in 33 of the team’s 43 games this season.
The roster construction with the forwards may be the main source of contention among fans. Elias Lindholm was paid nearly $8 million per year to be a top-line center, which he isn’t. Aside from David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand, who on the club is considered a consistent scorer? Let’s not forget that Pastrnak and Marchand have struggled at times but are scoring at a decent rate. All of this adds up to a club that does not appear to be capable of winning a single game in a seven-game first-round playoff series.
There are several reasons for the Bruins’ troubles this season, but it all boils down to roster composition, which Sweeney bears responsibility for. As it turned out, Jim Montgomery was not the problem, and you have to feel bad for interim coach Joe Sacco, who took over a group that is simply not good. This upcoming stretch will most certainly determine whether the Bruins make the playoffs this season. If that happens and they miss them, all eyes will be on Boston’s general manager’s future.
