Will the Bruins bounce back after a humiliating loss to the last-place Blue Jackets?

How will Bruins respond to embarrassing loss to last-place Blue Jackets? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Bruins haven’t faced significant adversity in the regular season since head coach Jim Montgomery took over before the 2022-23 campaign.

They dominated the NHL last season, achieving a record 65 wins and 135 points as the Presidents’ Trophy winners. The team didn’t lose back-to-back games until late January and only had a three-game losing streak once.

The Bruins started the current season strong, achieving a franchise-best 9-0-1 start and currently sitting tied atop the Eastern Conference standings with 31 points (14-4-3).

However, they are now going through a tough period of adversity. The recent back-to-back losses to the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers and a 5-2 loss to the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets have raised concerns.

The embarrassing loss to the Blue Jackets, who had the worst record in the conference at the time, exposed the Bruins’ lackluster performance.

Head coach Montgomery acknowledged their poor performance, stating, “I thought every part of our game tonight was tough… we weren’t good enough.”

The Bruins are facing several issues, including a considerable drop in goaltending performance and a decline in team defense. The penalty kill has also been struggling.

Montgomery has been implementing various strategies to motivate the team, including intense practice sessions and mixing up the lines. Despite their current lead in the standings, the Bruins need to address their defensive and goaltending issues to maintain their position in the league.

As the season progresses, it’s essential for the Bruins to correct these issues to avoid losing their lead in the standings. With dedicated practice time, the team aims to tackle these challenges and regain their dominance.