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The Bruins lost tonight. You know that.
It was a bad loss. You know that too.
What you might not know, however, is just how bad the loss was.
Thankfully, we have Chris and HockeyReference.com!
Chris did some digging within HockeyReference’s vast digital archives and found a few tidbits about tonight’s game. These are whatever you’d call the opposite of fun facts.
This was the worst season-opening loss in the history of the franchise.
The Bruins’ 7-0 defeat is the worst loss the team has ever suffered in its opening game. The most recent one that was even close was an 8-3 loss to Florida back in 2006.
It was tied for the second-worst season-opening loss in the history of the NHL.
YIKES. Before tonight, only three teams had lost their opening game by 7 goals: Edmonton to Calgary in 1991, Detroit to Montreal in 1965 and Quebec to Montreal in 1919. The only loss worse than those three? The Kings lost to Montreal by a score of 9-0 back in 1975.
It was the first season opener since 1939 that the Bruins were shutout and allowed five or more goals.
In 1939, the Bruins mustered no goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but allowed five. This was worse.
That last one occurred before Pearl Harbor, so we can rally with some Animal House inspiration. The season’s not over yet, folks. DON’T PANIC.
Thanks to Chris for the research and HockeyReference for being great.