4/2- Boston @ St. Louis

[wiffleballhero]

Alright, let me modify: I don't care about either of the records if I thought going for them risked blowing it in the playoffs. But I've moved fully into thinking that if they can win a game with Bergy, Krejci and McAvoy out, and they can use the records as motivation to maintain some game speed, by all means, it will be great to get these records.

 

[Gammon_Clark]

No. Who gives a shit. Get the Cup.

I mean, they’re not mutually exclusive, right?

tbh, I’ve largely ignored the records all year, I’ve seen other teams get gassed ‘chasing’ (the ‘07 Pats seemed to be feeling the pressure towards the end…) but these Bruins seem to be falling into it with so few games to go, I think starting with the Pittsburgh game yesterday I started to feel greedy, like f it, with everything. Get all the records and the Cup. LFG

 

[Salem's Lot]

Do you feel any differently about the wins record?

No. I don’t care about regular season records.

 

[Ferm Sheller]

I mean, they’re not mutually exclusive, right?

tbh, I’ve largely ignored the records all year, I’ve seen other teams get gassed ‘chasing’ (the ‘07 Pats seemed to be feeling the pressure towards the end…) but these Bruins seem to be falling into it with so few games to go, I think starting with the Pittsburgh game yesterday I started to feel greedy, like f it, with everything. Get all the records and the Cup. LFG

Look at it this way: If they win the Cup, you won't look back and say, "And they got the regular season wins record, too!" And if they don't win the Cup, you'l never say, "Remember that 2022-23 team that got the wins record but got bounced in the second round of the playoffs? Shame they didn't win the Cup, but man how awesome is it that they got the wins record? Not a bad consolation."

 

[wiffleballhero]

Look at it this way: If they win the Cup, you won't look back and say, "And they got the regular season wins record, too!" And if they don't win the Cup, you'l never say, "Remember that 2022-23 team that got the wins record but got bounced in the second round of the playoffs? Shame they didn't win the Cup, but man how awesome is it that they got the wins record? Not a bad consolation."

Yes, it is a little bit of deciding how you recall the 2007 Pats and then make up your mind, although it is not like there is any causal relationship between getting these regular season records and not winning in the end.

They have to play the games, they can't literally send out the Providence squad and the best route to a strong playoffs likely includes playing some fast paced hockey before the playoffs start so they are not flat. Unless a player is injured, only the final Montreal game would have a negative impact on their energy level, and even for that they should get a couple days of recovery time. I think they are doing this perfectly. Maybe I'd rest Orlov and Marchand next.

 

[McDrew]

All of the regular season success is making me more invested in a need for them to win the cup to confirm that they are as good as we think they are. I'm at the point where regardless of these last few regular season games, I'm either going to be elated or crushed by the results of the postseason.

 

[joe dokes]

Yes, it is a little bit of deciding how you recall the 2007 Pats and then make up your mind, although it is not like there is any causal relationship between getting these regular season records and not winning in the end.

They have to play the games, they can't literally send out the Providence squad and the best route to a strong playoffs likely includes playing some fast paced hockey before the playoffs start so they are not flat. Unless a player is injured, only the final Montreal game would have a negative impact on their energy level, and even for that they should get a couple days of recovery time. I think they are doing this perfectly. Maybe I'd rest Orlov and Marchand next.

Definitely Orlov. He played big minutes yesterday and was uncharacteristically not at the top of his game.

 

[cshea]

All of the regular season success is making me more invested in a need for them to win the cup to confirm that they are as good as we think they are. I'm at the point where regardless of these last few regular season games, I'm either going to be elated or crushed by the results of the postseason.

I wouldn't look at it that way. The playoffs aren't going to confirm anything. They are a historically great hockey team regardless of the post season results. Being this dominant over 82 games is no fluke, and whether they win it all or they flame out like the 18/19 Bolts it won't diminish the regular season accomplishments.

Hockey is an extremely random game. Moreso than any other sport, shit happens. Over 82 games, the teams that do things more often than the other (take shots, generate scoring chances, score goals, etc) will rise to the top because repeatedly doing those things mean you'll win more than you lose over a long sample of 82 games even if the randomness and luck turn on you at some point. When you get to the playoffs and you are in a short series of 7 games the role of random puck bounces and puck luck increases by a million. If the worm turns, there's not a lot of runway to wait for things to even out. In my opinion, It's why only 8 of 36 President's Trophy winning teams have gone on to win the Cup and only 11 have reached the Finals. In most sports, the best team with the most talent generally wins it all. That just doesn't apply to hockey.

The playoffs are a different beast than regular season hockey. It's obviously the holy grail for the sport and league and I want it more than anything but I'm just trying to enjoy the ride, no matter where it ends.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Look at it this way: If they win the Cup, you won't look back and say, "And they got the regular season wins record, too!" And if they don't win the Cup, you'l never say, "Remember that 2022-23 team that got the wins record but got bounced in the second round of the playoffs? Shame they didn't win the Cup, but man how awesome is it that they got the wins record? Not a bad consolation."

No, you'll look back and say, "They were the greatest single season team of all time. Wins record, points record and the Cup. Fuck Montreal." It would be super cool.

It's certainly not worth running guys into the ground and possibly not winning the Cup, though.

 

[Gammon_Clark]

No, you'll look back and say, "They were the greatest single season team of all time. Wins record, points record and the Cup. Fuck Montreal." It would be super cool.

It's certainly not worth running guys into the ground and possibly not winning the Cup, though.

This is where I’m at and was going to author a similar post had I not read it first.
Everyone is correct that the Cup is all that matters, however, IF they win, then I would love to look back, and say this was one of the greatest, possibly THE greatest season an NHL team has ever had and I witnessed it. Not only that, but I’m sure we’d all agree we love these guys. Patrice and Brad, Pasta, the goalies, and on and on and on, top to bottom it’s a great group and I want for them to have the records, the Cup and all the glory that goes with it. Hockey’s equivalent to the 1972 Dolphins*… every year a team wins a Cup, but this Bruins team could be THE team, the best that’s ever done it.

*I do not think the Dolphins of ‘72 are the best to ever do it, but there is a reverence with them and they and their fanbase certainly celebrate it. Also why the ‘07 loss hurt so much: sports immortality.

***quick edit to add: all of the above in an era where there are 32 teams and a salary cap (h/t C), parity, etc… saying the Cup is all that matters now is true, but in hindsight if they wrap up the other things in addition, that would be unparalleled, even if in 5 years another Presidents Trophy team wins the Cup, it won’t be the 6x win Bruins… with 1xx points.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Yeah, to paraphrase Kendrick, "There's levels to it, you and I know."

 

[Cotillion]

Yep... the Stanley cup is the main part of the Sundae (ice cream), but the whip cream (team wins) and cherry (points record) add something to it.

 

[Gammon_Clark]

Man you guys are so good at brevity. I talk too fucking much.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I want it all. Everything. Universal crush. If they die, they die.

 

[wiffleballhero]

Also, the remaining games (in order of toxicity) are vs: Montreal, Toronto, Washington, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Fuck all those teams, seriously. Maybe if we had another game against a cute team like Seattle, but this set of five? I want 10 more points.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I just hope they don't set either record on a shootout win. Lock it up in style.