Bruins 10 Point Plan

Catch your breath now, Bruins fans, because your team has a few days off to regroup before beginning a 9 games in 16 days sprint before the Olympics that will likely determine the team’s fortunes and front office game plan going forward. 

As of this morning, the Bruins are tied for 9^th place and first in line for the golf courses come mid-April.  To make matters worse, the Islanders, Panthers, Thrashers and Lightning are directly behind the Bruins and within striking distance.  That’s the bad news.  

As for the positive spin, they’re only one point out of sixth place and six points behind the suspect, at least to these eyes, Senators for fifth place.  Yes, the Bruins have been ravaged by injuries and the team, fans and media have been using the Make it to the Olympics break as some sort of crutch or excuse.  Well, it’s time to put up or shut up with the upcoming whirlwind of 9 games beginning Friday night in Buffalo and concluding February 13 in Florida.  Let’s take a look at the schedule as it does present some challenges. 

1/29 @ Buffalo

1/30 LA Kings

2/2  Washington

2/4  Montreal

2/6  Vancouver

2/7 @ Montreal

2/9 @ Buffalo

2/11 @ Tampa Bay

2/13 @ Florida 

At stake:  a maximum of 18 points in the standings.  Of course they’re not going to run the table, but the team should set a goal of at least acquiring 10 points during this time frame.  Ten points would probably let them keep their spot in the standings and let them return healthy for the final six weeks of the regular season.  Anything greater than 10 points would be gravy. 

When you get right down to it,  it probably doesn’t matter what order you get them, but the Bruins need victories in five of the games.  Logically, winning three out of four at home, splitting the games at Buffalo and winning one of the last two games in Florida would be the most realistic path.  However, the team and fans will take them in any way, shape or form. 

Conversely, securing 8 or 9 points would let them perilously tread water and anything less than 8 points would probably serve as a death sentence on the season and make the front office become sellers, rather than buyers, at the March 3 trading deadline.