For greater than 70 years, an animated debate has raged between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck:
“Rabbit Season vs. Duck Season.”
It started with a trilogy of cartoons in 1951 wherein – in line with on-line Looney Tunes consultants – Daffy will get blasted by Elmer Fudd 17 occasions. Bugs Bunny regularly dupes his dim-witted nemesis into exclaiming “Duck Season” and demanding that Fudd hearth with out hesitation.
The “Rabbit Season vs. Duck Season.” battle continues with the most recent iterations of Bugs and Daffy. Here, they mingle with none apart from Red Sox co-owner LeBron James in “Space Jam 57: John Henry Gets Booed Again.”
While the Tune Squad might by no means get a straight reply as to what time of 12 months it could be, it’s clear in Boston that we’re within the throes of Bear Season.
“What’s up, Doc?” chances are you’ll ask.
The Bruins. They’re an NHL-best 38-5-4. They reached 80 factors in fewer video games than another staff in NHL historical past: 47. They are on tempo to win a cartoonish 66 video games. (The report is 62.)
To quote Yosemite Sam: “They’re the rootinest, tootinest, leanest, meanest, toughest, roughest, bestest team north, south, east and west of the Pecos.”
Boston dominates because the odds-on favourite at WynnBET (+475) to win the Stanley Cup. Those over 21 can legally again this play when the Wynn sports activities guide opens at Encore Boston Harbor Tuesday at 10 a.m. Save me one among their 118 betting kiosks.
Even the nicknames have a toon-like high quality: Bergy, Marchy, Pasta, Griz, Chucky Bright Lights, the Mayor of Weymouth, Fliggy, and a number of iterations of “Jake.”
Whenever the Bruins are favored to win the Stanley Cup, that’s an indication to begin stuttering like Porky Pig.
Fate mandates a “They haven’t done anything yet” disclaimer.
Wails of “They’re peaking too soon, Mazz!” pierce the airwaves.
There’s a preponderance of historic proof that calls for warning, if not dread.
It’s Sylvester vs. Tweety.
Or Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner.
The Presidents Trophy can pack the postseason efficiency of the Madden Curse, or no matter spell Gisele threw at Tom Brady. The Bruins gained it in 2020. Their Cup desires acquired popped within the Toronto bubble within the second spherical – minus Tuukka Rask. The Florida Panthers earned the Presidents Trophy final season and didn’t win a recreation within the second spherical.
The 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning gained a report 62 video games however acquired swept by No. 8-seed Columbus within the first spherical. The 1996 Red Wings copped 62 wins however failed to succeed in the Cup Finals.
Boston’s 80-point milestone tops the 49-game report set by the 1980 Broad Street Bullies. Those Flyers misplaced the Finals to the Islanders in six video games. (Every different staff within the high 5 of that checklist would hoist the Cup in the identical season.)
Forget numbers. The 1970-71 Bruins had been arguably essentially the most proficient staff in franchise historical past. The defending Cup champs crushed the East with 121 factors and 57 wins. An incomprehensible 10 gamers scored 20 or extra targets. Bobby Orr (139 factors) and Phil Esposito (76 targets) had been at their zenith.
Fistfights raged over who acquired to put on the lone No. 4 shirt earlier than road hockey video games all through Greater Boston.
But due to a scorching rookie goalie from Cornell as soon as drafted by the Bruins named Ken Dryden, the Big Bad Bruins acquired blown up by a field of ACME dynamite and Montreal within the first spherical.
Beep beep.
One massive motive why these Bruins haven’t executed something in April is as a result of it’s nonetheless January.
We’ve seen a collective of top-tier NHL expertise enjoying at their greatest with aptitude and confidence. Add within the backstory that its core could also be in the midst of their farewell tour, and also you’ve acquired historical past within the making.
Or faking.
So, please, get pleasure from this. It’s clear the Bruins are having enjoyable. Why shouldn’t you?
The Bruins are extraordinarily aggressive in each ends. They’re mastering a steadiness when it comes to ice time between the highest and backside traces. Gone is the narrative that The Perfection Line should rating – or else.
David Pastrnak (Why Isn’t He Signed For 10 Years Yet?) is making a run at Espo’s staff report of 76 targets. He’s changing into the Bruins most dynamic “Must See” attraction since Orr.
So, go see him. Or DVR “Bruins In Two.”
Coach Jim Montgomery got here to Boston for his first 12 months with the status of being a defensive mastermind. Boston leads the NHL in targets scored and allowed. The differential in targets scored between Boston and 2nd-place Buffalo was one (181-180) earlier than Wednesday. The unfold in targets allowed between the Bruins and No. 2 New Jersey (98-123) was a whopping 25.
Jake DeBrusk needed out final season. This 12 months, he’s +15 with 30 factors. He scored each Boston targets within the Winter Classic and broke his leg within the course of. He was skating this week. Winning is contagious.
This Bear is constructing a layer of winter fats within the standings. The staff’s elder expertise needs to be tanned, rested, and prepared for a deep spring run. “Load management” isn’t a factor within the NHL. Shaving a number of seconds off every shift and canceling an occasional apply over an 82-game season, nevertheless, can hold a 37-year-old heart and his 34-year-old left wing spry till Father’s Day.
The Bruins face a playoff-like highway check heading into the All-Star break. A two-game Florida swing begins tonight at TD Garden South I towards the Tampa Bay Lightning. It continues Saturday at TD Garden South II with the Panthers. In conserving with the Florida theme, the Bruins go to the (Carolina) Hurricanes Sunday. They play at Toronto Wednesday earlier than a 10-day layoff.
Potential buzzkills aplenty.
But for now, the Bruins have but to yield their Bugs Bunny aura.
No matter the mess, they’ll come out on high.
Carrot, and all.
That’s all people.
At least till the playoffs.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF) will be reached at [email protected].
Source: www.bostonherald.com