Boston Bruins: Learning from Losing

The Bruins finally broke their 10-game losing streak against the Montreal Canadiens with a hard fought, 3-0 shutout victory.

Boston had come close before, but they finally put together a 60-minute effort. They had the dreaded two-goal lead, which they surrendered in shootout losses to Montreal and Vancouver at home.

When you are going badly, as the Bruins were, you would take a tie.

A loss is a loss, any way you cut. You may get points in a regulation tie, but if you lose in OT or a shootout its still one in the loss column.

Coach Claude Julian said after a loss that he was not about to say that his team wasn’t good.

Claude, that’s exactly what you needed to say. You need to teach your team that you will accept nothing less than a victory. You need to build up you team’s confidence and will to win.

What we learned from this losing streak is as follows:

1. Never sugarcoat a loss.

Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. Your team may have played 40 good minutes and 20 bad minutes which resulted in a loss. The outcome, sorry to say, is a loss. The other team was still better than you and they found a way to win.

Your team needs to find ways to win, too.

The Bruins finally did that in Montreal.

2. Overcome and don’t use excuses.

Yes, the Bruins have been decimated by injuries, there is no questioning that. When you have players that have been hurt multiple times in one season you may think it’s just not “your season.”

Or you can say how can I elevate my game? How can I fight or battle for my brothers who are watching from the press box?

Because you know damn well, they rather be skating with you and trying to help the team in any way they could.

3. Rise above.

The Bruins rose above against the Canadiens. Perhaps they needed a change in scenery or needed to take the pressure off themselves in trying to please the hometown crowd.

Whichever it was, it worked.

The Bruins played with energy and a jump in their step.

Players like Blake Wheeler, who is not a fighter, dropped the gloves to start a fire under himself and his team.

The Inferno just grew.

Tuukka Rask has played like the No. 1 goalie, he aspires to be. In his last three games, he has only let up four goals. You can’t ask for more than that out of your young netminder.

Rask has risen above and has taken advantage of the opportunity at hand. He has set an example for the rest of his team.

Playing hockey is a privilege and a gift.

Play every game like it’s your last.

Play with integrity, desperation, and passion.

Play every game like its OT in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Don’t worry about the fans (we are always behind you), the press, or the front office, just play to the best of your capabilities.

Because the hard work and effort will result in victories like it did in Montreal.