Never one to shy away from a donnybrook or a bloodbath, Bruins president Cam Neely seemed to be salivating over the idea that the Bruins would be playing each of the other seven teams in the new East Division eight times.
“I mean playing these teams that many times, guys will be sick of each other in a hurry,” Neely said during his conference call with reporters Monday.
-
Ep 45: Canucks, Islanders, and The Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 6:26 am
In this episode, Jim and Chris discuss the latest with the Canucks, […]
The great news for Neely is that although the Bruins won’t be facing archrivals Toronto or Montreal, who for now are relegated to the North Division (consisting of the seven Canadian teams), after the NHL starts up Jan. 13 the Bruins and many of their divisional foes already have some bad blood.
Buffalo, New Jersey, New York, Long Island, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington — there’s a lot to hate.
A lot of thoughts shoot through the brain looking at both the East Division’s lineup and the playoff format that’s scheduled to follow the regular season come May.
Here are some quick-hit thoughts:
No Lightning
Bruins fans can delight in the idea that they won’t have to see their team lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the postseason this season, or at least not before the NHL semifinals. The defending Stanley Cup-champion Lightning are tucked away in their cozy Central Division (not sure what they’re in the “Central” of) along with NHL runner-up Dallas and a lineup of average and below-average teams. Rolling to a top-two finish in that division will feel like a day at the beach for Tampa Bay.
But maybe if the Bruins reach the final four and Tampa Bay stands in their way, at least the Lightning could have some wear and tear on them. And as far as the Bruins’ travel schedule, without games against the Lightning or Florida Panthers, they must be relieved they won’t have to make stops in one of the coronavirus capitals on the world.
Keep your heads on a swivel
Never mind the history the Bruins have with some of their new divisional foes in terms of getting cheap shotted (Matt Cooke, Brooks Orpik, Alex Ovechkin, Tom Wilson, Chris Kreider). This could be the division with the most players willing to push physicality up to (and sometimes across) the discipline line. Eight games against Kreider, Ovechkin, Wilson, Travis Konecny, Brandon Tanev, Leo Komarov, and the New York Islanders’ fourth line? Ouch. Or potentially ouch.
Nick Ritchie’s going to have to perfect his intimidation face because other than his presence the Bruins haven’t done much to close any toughness gap they may have had last season even while playing in a meeker division. (Trent Frederic, you’ll never have a better chance to make it.)
We’ll be missing you
The East Division is by far the toughest of the divisions, but that’ll make a shortened season all the more fun. And is anyone going to really miss Montreal and Toronto games? Nah. In fact, maybe the new alignment will convince the NHL to rework its divisions, or maybe to rotate teams in and out of divisions. At the very least, the league might be convinced to go back to the one-through-eight playoff format because there will be so many rivalries built up among teams that haven’t been in the same division in recent years. Heck, those Bruins-Flyers and Bruins-Rangers games pretty much lost their meaning when the league went to the divisional playoff format.
Revive the Bruins-Flyers rivalry, NHL. We demand it.
-
Ep 42: Going Streaking, 84 Game Schedule, Ovechkin Watch, Holiday Funby Full Press Coverage on December 22, 2022 at 5:50 pm
In this episode, Jim and Chris talk notable point streaks in the NHL, the […]
-
Ep 41: Alex Ovechkin, Playoff Expansion, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on December 15, 2022 at 2:27 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss Alex Ovechkin's 800th goal, potential […]
-
Ep 40: Borje Salming Passing; Kris Letang, Roope Hintz, Top 5 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on December 2, 2022 at 12:45 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel are back for another edition of Full Press […]
-
Ep 39: The NHL Has A Problemby Full Press Coverage on November 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Mike and Jim are back to discuss all the latest from around the NHL.
-
NHL All Star Game Thoughts and Possible Changesby Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 5:00 am
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down NHL […]
-
FPH Weekly - Bo Horvat Trade Reaction and Where Teams Stand at the All-Star Breakby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Chris Wassel as they break down Bo Horvat […]
-
Ep 79: Bruins Are A Wagon, Pastrnak Contract, Krejci, Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on January 18, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Ian and Chris evaluate the red-hot Bruins halfway through the season. In […]
-
Ep 78: Mitchell Miller Fiasco Reaction; What Do The Bruins Do Next?by Full Press Coverage on November 7, 2022 at 10:37 pm
Ian and Chris react to the Mitchell Miller signing fiasco and discuss what […]
-
S4Ep18 - The Mess That Is The Vancouver Canucks and What Is Nextby Jim Biringer on January 30, 2023 at 8:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey as he brings […]
-
S4Ep17 - Road Warriors - Devils, Kraken, Bruins, and Golden Knightsby Jim Biringer on January 24, 2023 at 7:00 am
Jim is back for a fourth season of the Final Word of Hockey with NHL […]
-
Episode #127: Mann Downby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 3:35 pm
On this pre-AHL All-Star Classic edition of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and […]
-
Episode #126: Re-Ranking the Reign Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 8:28 am
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah have another trade […]