As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction for what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
The Boston Bruins (50-20-12) were second in the Atlantic Division with 112 points, just one point out of first place. They defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs, as their top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak dominated.
They dominated offensively again in the second round against the Tampa Bay Lightning ... but unfortunately, those three were the only thing resembling consistent offense on the roster.
The Bruins lost in five games to Tampa, humbled by an injury to defenseman Torey Krug, unable to match the Lightning's depth and watching Marchand treat opponents' faces like they were Tootsie Pops. Seriously, the NHL had to intervene and tell Marchand to stop licking other players. On the one hand, that's super gross and embarrassing for the sport. On the other hand, it's another item off his bucket list, we imagine.
Keys to the offseason
1. Stay the course.
The wacky thing about the Leafs-Bruins and the Lightning-Bruins series is that these teams could all be back in Stanley Cup contention for the next few seasons.
Sure, Boston probably only gets one more kick at the can with Zdeno Chara, the 41-year-old marvel who is back on a one-year deal next season. But Bergeron (32), David Krejci (31), Marchand (29) and Tuukka Rask (31) are all in their primes. The relative newbies like Pastrnak (21), Ryan Donato (22), Jake DeBrusk (21), Danton Heinen (22) and particularly Charlie McAvoy (20) make up a young and dynamic supporting cast. This team is close.
2. Get a player like Rick Nash, but not Rick Nash.
OK, so the Rick Nash gambit didn't really work out as planned. It was interesting to see Boston fans react to Nash with the same way Rangers fans did, with the same life cycle: Nash does nothing but puts up good possession numbers; Nash has one good game, and everyone buys into the hype; and then his numbers fall off a cliff again. Rinse, repeat.
The Bruins are paying Krejci $7.25 million annually through 2021 and he's got a full no-move clause, so he's going to be the foundation of the team's second line. Even though Nash might not have been the necessary fit, getting Krejci a veteran power forward to play with should be paramount for the Bruins.
3. Add a center.
With all due respect to Riley Nash, the path to the Stanley Cup becomes much less arduous for teams that go three-deep at center and, in essence, in scoring lines. The Bruins could use one more veteran option up the middle to compete with teams like the Lightning.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
The Bruins are on the right track. If they aren't a playoff team next season, it'll be for some unforeseen, catastrophic reason.
And hey, lesson learned: Win the division next time.