Boston Bruins hope to complete the job this season after record-setting run led to a playoff flop

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins are wanting forward at a brand new season, not again on the one the place they posted one of the best report in NHL historical past after which misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs.

“My rear-view mirror is broken,” staff president Cam Neely mentioned because the 2023 Presidents Trophy winners opened coaching camp. “You certainly can learn from the past, and take some things away from that. But the page has turned, and we’ve got a new season coming up.”

A 12 months after setting NHL information with 65 wins and 135 factors, the Bruins assume they’re primed for a run on the Stanley Cup. They’d need to do it with out captain and six-time Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron, who has retired together with scoring menace David Krejčí

“People on the outside might view it as a void (considering) what other people and great players had done in the past,” normal supervisor Don Sweeney mentioned. “That’s evolution that every team goes through. We’re fortunate enough to have players that are really excited about that opportunity.”

Brad Marchand changed Bergeron as captain and returns to an offense that also has Hart Trophy runner-up David Pastrnak. Charlie McAvoy anchors a blue line that added veteran Kevin Shattenkirk to 6 returning defensemen.

And in objective, Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark is again after successful 40 video games final season with a 1.89 goals-against common; Jeremy Swayman, who went 24-6-4 with a 2.24 GAA, is again because the backup as soon as once more.

“The expectations, they don’t change,” Sweeney mentioned. “We didn’t expect to win 65 games last year I don’t expect to win 65 this year. But, I do expect us to be a highly competitive team from Day 1 and to take the approach that we’re going to be a tough out each and every night and wear that jersey with pride. That’s what this organization is trying to stand for.”

Bergeron had toyed with retirement earlier than, however he determined to return for one final run a 12 months in the past. Krejčí, who spent 2021-22 enjoying in his native Czechia, additionally signed on for an additional 12 months.

With Jim Montgomery changing Bruce Cassidy as coach, the staff responded with a record-breaking marketing campaign, surpassing the report of 62 wins that had been held by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings and 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning. The report of 132 factors had stood because the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens, although guidelines adjustments made it simpler to return by.

It all did Boston little good when it met with the Florida Panthers within the first spherical of the playoffs.

The Bruins opened a 3-1 lead earlier than Florida pressured a decisive seventh recreation, Boston led 3-2 earlier than Brandon Montour tied it with 1 minute left in regulation. Carter Verhaeghe scored halfway by way of the primary extra time to oust the shocked Bruins.

Sweeney known as it “scar tissue.”

“And it exists in each and every one of us. We take the disappointment and apply it going forward,” he mentioned. “We’ve fallen short, and last year’s a great example of that. . … Eyes are forward, everybody has a job to do and there are expectations that come along with them.”

The excellent news for the Bruins: The record-setting Red Wings and Lightning additionally didn’t ship on their unprecedented seasons, with Tampa Bay dropping within the first spherical of the 2019 playoffs, similar to Boston. But every went on to win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles the following two seasons.

Marchand isn’t wanting again – or ahead.

“I really don’t get caught up in thinking about things down the road. A perfect example is last year,” he mentioned. “You can’t get caught up in what’s forward of you, and also you’ve received to be within the second.