8 games. That’s how long the Boston Bruins losing streak has been going on for. Their latest game against the Detroit Red Wings was a must-win game for them, but they were unable to clear the hurdle yet again. The team is in free fall, and it doesn’t look like anyone has any answers. But to the Bruins’ credit, it was Cam Talbot’s 20-save heroics that shut the door on them this time. However, when it’s your 8th loss in a row, it’s hard to find any silver linings, as Joe Sacco is well aware of.

For some context, this has been their worst skid since a 10-game losing streak in 2010. Those cynical amongst the Bruins faithful may point out that it wouldn’t take much to break the rather ignominious losing streak record. After all, in 2010 the Bruins still had the likes of Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, and of course, Brad Marchand. Now? They don’t even have that solid core to fall back on during tough times made tougher by Marchand’s departure.

Following the recent 2-1 loss that adds onto their ongoing losing streak, Bruins fans have grown increasingly angry and frustrated while they look for clarity in the team’s turmoil. During what has become a truly challenging season now, head coach Joe Sacco addressed the angry fans and defended the team for their performance at the Little Caesars Arena. “Obviously, it’s frustrating, I feel, for the guys, but we gave a solid effort here tonight. We just fell short,” Sacco said.

All things said, 2-1 is a respectable loss considering the amount of goals they’ve shipped recently, and Sacco remained optimistic. He further added, “We weren’t able to capitalize on a few of our chances there, especially one at the end, but like I said, I think that the effort was solid tonight.” Perhaps the most frustrating missed opportunity was when David Pastrňák set up Morgan Geekie with a slick pass for his 51st assist to make the score 2-1.

But as has been the case this season, the Bruins just could not capitalize further. Pastrňák remains the strongest player for the Bruins this season and their biggest ray of hope. With his 35 goals and 51 assists, he’s 8th in the league for points, but he is just one man on an inconsistent team. The other players need to step up in order to support their star. But while the players have underperformed, what does the coaching situation look like?

The Boston Bruins are struggling, but will Joe Sacco continue on?

Yes, the Bruins have been poor, but in their defense, they’re also a team in rebuild. It’s not the answer fans will like, but it’s one that the front office is likely holding on to as they plan ahead for the next season. Technically, the Bruins haven’t been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but with the way they’re playing and the way their competition, like the Red Wings, Canadiens, and Blue Jackets, has been, the playoffs are a distant dream.

Which then brings us back to that rebuild. The process was already jump-started with the slew of trades made, including the divisive Brad Marchand one. Getting the right players in is crucial for a rebuild, but so is the coaching staff. And therein lies the next question mark for the Bruins.

Because in case you’ve forgotten, after 53 games in charge, Joe Sacco is still only the interim head coach. After being promoted in mid-November after serving as an assistant coach, there’s no guarantee that Sacco will still be the man in the dugout next season. And with the struggles they’ve had this season, it would be wise for the management to weigh every option before committing to a decision.

As the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride confirmed, Bruins president Cam Neely is keeping his options open. “Neely said Sacco ‘will be in the mix’ when he and Sweeney have offseason discussions about what direction they will go in a coaching search,” wrote McBride. A possible contender for the position is the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Mike Sullivan, who is expected to depart after this season and who has the advantage of having coached the Bruins before in 2003-04 and 2005-06.

That said, Neely was also appreciative of what Sacco has done so far. “I mentioned to the whole coaching staff recently that Don (Sweeney) and I certainly appreciate the job that they’re doing. It hasn’t been easy for them,” said Neely, as reported by McBride. He further added that he thought Sacco had done a good job since coming in, all things considered.

Now their next match awaits against the Washington Capitals. Already at a critical juncture, if the Boston Bruins continue their poor form, it will only further alienate the fans. But with the rebuild off to a painful start and the coaching situation looking up in the air, Bruins fans will be in for an interesting offseason at the very least.