On Saturday, the Boston Bruins faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just 5:56 into the first period, Brad Marchand was hit from behind by Pierre-Olivier Joseph in an incident that saw him sit out the rest of the game. The play and the referee’s choice to keep from penalizing Joseph sparked scrutiny from fans and even Bruins analyst Andy Brickley. He remarked, “I think the referees, 100% of the time, have to use the tools available to them, even if they think there was no way that was a major penalty.”

Despite ending the game with a 3-2 victory against the Penguins, the overall outcome was disappointing. Brad Marchand has been confirmed to have sustained an upper-body injury and is now classified as week-to-week. The Bruins are in dire straits with losing their captain and, further compounding their injury crisis with Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, already sidelined.

In the aftermath of Marchand’s absence, the Boston Bruins find themselves in the midst of a two-game losing streak after the 6-3 loss to the Nashville Predators. This downturn has sparked intense discussions among fans, as the team’s aspirations for a Stanley Cup playoff berth seem to be slipping further and further away from reach.

During the 2024-25 season, the Bruins have played 63 games, securing 28 victories, suffering 27 defeats, and recording 8 overtime losses. They have amassed a total of 64 points, currently placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference and 7th in the Atlantic Division. What is their most promising option? Last-ditch trades and/or locking in for the remainder of the season, hoping their rivals fizzle out and somehow defying the odds to keep their 8-season playoff streak alive (the longest active streak in the league, tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs).

At present, a wild card entry looks like the best bet with the second spot held by divisional rivals, the New York Rangers, with a total of 66 points. If the Bruins start winning a few games on the trot and maintain their momentum while their rivals falter, they do have a fairly decent chance to earn a playoff berth. But in the wake of Marchand’s absence, the team’s performance has taken a downturn, currently reflected in a two-game losing streak.

Life without Brad Marchand isn’t easy

Brad Marchand demonstrates strong leadership qualities as a captain. However, he consistently addressed the errors made by his team during games. Recall the moment when the Boston Bruins suffered a staggering 8-1 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets? He expressed fair criticism towards goaltender Jeremy Swayman, stating, “Everyone had a bad night. He was part of it. He’s not singled out. I don’t think anyone can look themselves in the mirror and say that they had a good game. So, he’s part of the group. He’s part of the bad loss.”

With Marchand now out of the lineup for an uncertain duration, the Bruins find themselves facing significant challenges. The first game that the captain was absent for was versus the Minnesota Wild, resulting in a 1-0 defeat for the team, with Frederick Gaudreau’s lone goal in the second period being all it took to take down the Bruins.

But the Wild have been a good team this season. Okay, so the loss can be shaken off. But the Bruins faced a bigger surprise in the form of the Nashville Predators, who are in even worse shape than the Boston outfit. Fans were caught off guard by the Bruins’ heavy 6-3 loss. That too in TD Garden!

Earlier, there were rumors abound that the front office might consider trading Brad Marchand. But if this is what things are going to look like in a post-Marchand world, then they may have to think twice before shipping their captain out. After all, the team is already facing a leadership void, and though Marchand is not as productive as he was during his peak, his leadership qualities cannot be overstated. But that said, Marchand is still an important offensive contributor, being second in goals, points, and assists this season. Something they will be sure to miss while he recovers.

Undoubtedly, the 2024-25 season has proven to be a significant challenge for Bruins supporters, marking a stark decline from their previous standing. With just hours left before the trade deadline, the franchise has some serious decision-making to do. Phone lines are ringing all across the league; will Boston’s be one of them?