Four Lessons Bruins Can Learn From Red Sox’s Rollercoaster 2024 Season
he Boston Bruins don’t have to search far for lessons they can put to good use heading into a new season.
All they have to do is take a short trip down Storrow Drive from TD Garden and head over to Fenway Park. Plenty of valuable lessons played out for the Red Sox inside the confines of the venerable ballpark this season.
The Red Sox endured a rollercoaster 2024 campaign. They were in control of a playoff spot at the All-Star break, but ultimately spent October from home watching postseason baseball go on without them for a third consecutive season.
Lessons emerged in the wake of the Red Sox’s shortcomings, and the Bruins certainly would be wise to learn from what occurred to one of the other professional sports teams in the city.
Here are four lessons the Bruins can take from the Red Sox and apply to the 2024-25 season:
Playing Youngsters Can Pay Dividends
The Red Sox roster blended youth with experience, which not only benefitted them in the present but for the future, too. Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu both enjoyed impactful seasons and were in the American League Rookie of the Year conversation at points.
The Bruins shouldn’t be afraid of giving their youngsters more responsibility. They put veteran-laden teams on the ice in recent years while letting their top prospects develop primarily in the AHL, not knowing exactly what they can provide at the NHL level. Perhaps it’s time the Bruins give Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov an extended window of opportunity in the NHL.
Jim Montgomery will also need to take a page out of Alex Cora’s book when dealing with younger players. Mistakes are inevitable for them as they learn on the job. But sticking with a young player, whether it’s Mason Lohrei, Matthew Poitras or John Beecher, while they take their lumps can help build their confidence and make them more prepared for when the playoffs come around.
Take Care Of Business At Home
Cora lamented the way the Red Sox played at Fenway Park this season — it was one of the differences in Boston not making the playoffs. The Red Sox, who historically have a strong home-field advantage, went a puzzling 38-43 in front of their home crowd.
The Bruins can’t afford a similar letdown at TD Garden, especially with several Stanley Cup contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The good news is that home ice has been a safe haven for the Bruins during the regular season. Boston is a combined 58-15-9 in front of the Bruins faithful since Montgomery took over. Unfortunately for Montgomery and the Bruins, that home-ice success hasn’t continued in the postseason.
