Christian Renzi
So the Bruins drop two in Florida and now it looks like they may have to play Toronto in the first round after all. Trust me, I’m afraid of Toronto. I rather play Philly or Jersey, but at this point I think it’s best that I stay positive.
I’ve spent my entire hockey fandom life being a pessimistic Bruins fan. It’s actually pretty typical of Boston sports fans which is absurd given the level of success the team’s in this town have had over the last fifteen years. This year though I am changing my tune!
Here’s the thing. The Patriots lost the Super Bowl. Kyrie Irving is done for the rest of the year, including the playoffs. The Red Sox season just started and I also don’t really consider myself a Red Sox fan to begin with. The Bruins are Boston’s only hope right now. This is my coming to Jesus moment. I’ve decided after this Panthers loss to not be my typical negative self, but to feel positive and hopeful going into the postseason next week.
Last year the Bruins snuck into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth after missing it the previous two seasons. Not having your team in the NHL playoffs (the best playoffs if we are being honest) really sucks. You’re forced to watch teams like the San Jose Sharks and the choking Washington Capitals take to the ice and blow another series. This year is different though. The Bruins have had a spot clinched for two weeks.
So this is the start of the new me. I’m staying positive, even if we do go into the playoffs as the number two seed. What this team has done this year is nothing short of amazing. When the year started I figured they would make the playoffs but I thought it would come down to the last few games of the season like it did the last couple of years. I should have nothing to complain about.
With that being said the Bruins have now set high expectations for themselves. If they go out in six games in the first round I will consider it a massive disappointment. They have the ability to win the cup, especially if Rick Nash comes back. It might be crazy to say this, but anything short of an Eastern Conference Finals exit would be a let down. Regular season success is fun but it’s not what I’m after. I need my deep postseason run fix.
I think the Bruins will beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. We are a better team with a core group of veterans with a lot of playoff experience surrounded by young talented guys who have something to prove. Losses like last night and Tuesday are going to happen toward the end of the season when the team is fatigued. Luckily this year these types of losses have been few and far between.
When talking about fatigue you have to wonder, should they rest guys for the last two games and take the second spot? Or should they go all in and try to win back the top seed in the east? Ideally they rest guys but still win their last two games. Although, if Tampa Bay wins their last two they will take the top spot, even if we tie them. I would prefer avoiding Toronto but no matter what, if we want to win the cup we’re going to have to go through the Leafs or the Lightning at some point.
But, like I said, I’ve had my coming to Jesus moment. Out of the anger I felt during last night’s loss to the Panthers I suddenly found positivity. We weren’t supposed to be in this position to begin with, so rather than get mad I decided to feel happy that we are back on top.
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