Tightening standings bring battle into focus
Nothing is guaranteed by winning the Eastern Conference’s top spot. The Bruins were harshly reminded of that truth in April of last year when they lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games in the first round, ending their record-setting regular season.
Therefore, there should be little cause for concern despite the Panthers’ steep decline in the standings; entering Thursday’s games, they trailed the Bruins by just two points for the top spot in the conference.
However, if the Bruins require assistance concentrating on their own game and procedure—which is strongly suggested by a few games played last week—then the tighter standings ought to offer at least some assistance.
We truly are only focused on what we do, therefore I don’t use it all. Coach Jim Montgomery stated, “But we do acknowledge that the tight standings are actually a good thing.” You can use it as inspiration, but it also gives you the strength to persevere through some difficulties. Fighting for a cause is a good thing. It helps you maintain the proper frame of mind towards the end.
During their winning run between the Christmas and All-Star holidays, the Bruins had established a very comfortable lead over the Panthers. With the way the Panthers have been playing, it didn’t take a major collapse for them to get within striking distance. After four games following the All-Star break, the Bruins have a 1-2-1 record, and now they face Florida.
However, Morgan Geekie is optimistic that the group will return to its winning ways. He isn’t concerned about the results.
Wotherspoon’s return to
Parker Wotherspoon returned to the lineup while Kevin Shattenkirk left it for Thursday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, continuing the rotation in the third pairing.
“Play drives it sometimes, matchup does. It goes beyond those two as well. We trust all seven of our defensemen to finish the job, even if other players’ performances falter,” Montgomery stated. It simply seems like it’s been those two, and we do want to keep individuals in a sort of cycle. But I’ve let them know that it’s not only them. At some time, other players will come out, whether it’s for play or an injury. No jabs at Kraken
Geekie was playing his former team the Seattle Kraken, which surprisingly did not qualify him last summer, for the first time. He did not have a disparaging word.
“I was good friends with a lot of the guys over there and my wife was friends with a lot of the girls over there, too. It’s a great group of guys over there and I have nothing to have great things to say about them. It’ll be fun to go up against them,” said Geekie.
One of his close friends on the Kraken is Hingham native Matty Beniers.
“We’ve played a lot of Mario card and stuff on the plane so we bonded well. He’s a great kid and he’s going to be in this league for a long time,” said Geekie. “He’s got a great family and good head on shoulders. As long as he keeps his diet in order, I think he’ll be good.”
