Out of Sync

Zdeno Chara and the Bruins are just 1-3-3 in their last seven games. 

The Boston Bruins aren't just slumping of late.

They're all-out embarrassing.

After being humiliated in Toronto Saturday night 5-2 by the lowly Maple Leafs, the Bruins now hang onto the Northeast Division lead by the slimmest of margins. Just one single point separates them from the surging Montreal Canadiens. Weeks ago, it seemed like the Bruins would take the division crown convincingly. But as the Black and Gold fall further and further into their horrific tailspin of late (1-3-3 in their last seven games), suddenly their playoff positioning doesn't look so comfortable anymore.

Should Montreal leapfrog Boston in the final two and half weeks of the season, the Bruins would lose their pivotal #3 seed in the playoffs. Instead of having home-ice advantage, the Bruins would drop to the #6 or even #7 seed, setting up a first round playoff series on the road with the red-hot Capitals or pesky Canadiens.

"We've got to put our boots and hard hats on now," head coach Claude Julien said after the Bruins most recent loss in Toronto. "We've got to find our game." 

You can say that again. 

Coaches always stress the importance of entering the postseason with momentum. Right now, the Bruins aren't just at a standstill, they're regressing.  

"Hopefully, our killer-instinct will kick in," Julien mused on Sunday. 

If it's going to kick in, it better be fast. The Bruins kick off a three game home stand on tuesday when they host the the Devils at the Garden. Then, the Canadiens come to Boston Thursday night in an unbelievably pivotal late-season matchup.  

Whichever team wins Thursday could very well have the inside track on the division.

Let's hope it's the B's.