Which One's the Hiccup?
After the violent collision and concussion of Marc Savard, Bruins Nation stands at a crossroads.
Hold out hope that the B's still catch momentum riding solid goaltending and a renewed sense of purpose - ending in a playoff bid? Or say so long to a lost season, one that never quite got going in the first place, and wait until the NHL draft for hope of a better day?
The injury to Savard likely makes the odds much higher on the latter. This is a team already reeling after adding zero firepower at the trade deadline. While Raffy Torres is not quite Mike Bossy, any addition would've likely upgraded the Bruins offense. They still sit dead last in goals scored in the NHL.
But one quote stood out last week as Peter Chiarelli justified his decision not to make a move. "This year is a hiccup," he told Felger and Mazz here on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Really? Because what if last year was the hiccup?
It seems rational to agree this edition of the Bruins has fallen short and underachieved. While injuries have taken a toll and forced a mishmash of lineup combinations seemingly every night, even when the A-Team is out there, this Bruins squad seems lost at sea.
Injuries don't account for blown third-period leads. They don't account for Tim Thomas being less than his Vezina self. They don't account for Rider and Sturm and Wheeler all taking a major step back this season. It's not bumps or bruises that have forced Chara into some meek shell. Injuries can't be blamed for Dennis Wideman's nightly erratic (and maddening) play.
Three seasons ago this squad was a bubble playoff team. This season the Bruins are again a bubble playoff team. Hey Pete, here's a scary thought: What if last season's dizzying success was the hiccup?
