It’s entirely possible that the Bruins’ 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday -- a loss that ended their seven-game winning streak -- had nothing to do with the team’s controversial signing of Mitchell Miller.
Reactions to Bruins' controversial Mitchell Miller signing
There were plenty of on-ice, actual hockey reasons for the loss. The Bruins were a half step slower and losing races throughout the game. They had costly defensive breakdowns on Toronto’s two goals, both of which were scored by Auston Matthews. They struggled to get cleanly through the neutral zone and generate offense. When they were gifted two third-period power plays with a chance to tie the game, they didn’t land a single shot on goal.
It was also the final game of a three-game road trip. Teams looking a little off in that situation isn’t unusual. Plus, the previously struggling Maple Leafs had all the motivation in the world to get on track with a big win over the top team in the league on Hockey Night in Canada.
All that said, it’s kind of hard to ignore everything that’s happened since the Bruins announced the Miller signing on Friday. And it’s hard not to wonder if it affected the team’s play on Saturday.
The Bruins were rolling. They had won seven in a row before Saturday. With the exception of a couple injury situations, the vibes were all positive.
Then they weren’t. Then there was suddenly a dark cloud hanging over the entire organization, because for some reason the front office decided to go out and sign a player who had a history of racism and bullying that had already caused the Arizona Coyotes to disown him.
Patrice Bergeron discussed it on Friday during a 1-on-1 interview with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Nick Foligno and Jim Montgomery all answered questions about it on Saturday during their media availabilities. According to the Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont, Bergeron called a meeting with the entire team Saturday morning to discuss Miller’s signing.
These were not the conversations any of them wanted to be having. Bergeron, Marchand and Foligno all made it clear that they had reservations about the move, with Bergeron saying he expressed his to general manager Don Sweeney directly.
“I was asked by Don, close to a week ago, asked for my opinion,” Bergeron said. “I had my concerns. I shared my opinion. In a way, I think I was not necessarily agreeing with it. To be honest with you, I think the culture that we’ve built here goes against that type of behavior.
“I think we’re a team that’s built something about character and with character people. What he did obviously is unacceptable, and we don’t stand by that. I know, for myself anyways, in this locker room we’re all about diversity, inclusion, respect. Those are key words and core values that we have.”
The players are professionals. The leadership group is regarded as arguably the best in the NHL for a reason. Miller will not be joining the NHL dressing room any time soon, if ever. If the Bruins are as good as we think they are, this whole unnecessary saga won’t derail their season. Even if it’s a distraction for now, they’ll find a way to regroup and get back on track.
But it is fair to wonder how much of a distraction it is right now. It’s fair to wonder if it was at all a factor in Saturday night’s loss. If they drop a couple more games over the next week or so, it’ll be fair to wonder if the bad taste in everyone’s mouth is lingering.
Or, if you believe in these sorts of things, maybe Saturday’s loss was the hockey gods or hockey karma or whatever sending a message to Sweeney and the front office.
Regardless, the Bruins’ historically great start turned into a weekend of bad vibes, and Saturday’s loss only felt fitting. The Bruins will have an off day on Sunday to clear their heads and regroup before returning to home ice Monday night against the Blues.
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