On Wednesday Night, Claude Julien, the winningest coach in Boston Bruins history, makes his first appearance at the TD Garden since being fired last February. His Canadiens come into the game 14 points behind the Bruins in the standings.
The date was February 7, 2017, the Boston Bruins were 26-23-8, treading water in the Eastern Conference standings, after losing a few days earlier to the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving them 10 losses in their previous 16 games.
Don Sweeney, Cam Neely and the rest of the Bruins Brass decided they had seen enough and pulled the trigger. They fired Claude Julien after 10 seasons with the team. 10 seasons that included a Stanley Cup run, a second trip to the finals and a President’s Trophy. The team was three years removed from that last accomplishment and had failed to make the playoffs the two seasons since.
Changes had to be made, Julien was out, Bruce Cassidy took over. For the Bruins, there’s been no looking back, under Cassidy’s leadership the team is 42-18-9. That’s 93 points in 69 games, which translates to 111 points over the course of a 82 game season.
For Julien on the other hand, its been a bit of a different story, a bit of a roller coaster since taking over the Montreal Canadiens for the second time in his career.
There were rumblings after Julien and the Bruins parted ways that the Canadiens were interested, but it shocked many to see Montreal, who was in first place of the division at the time, part ways with Michel Therrien, after the team had a rough stretch, going 1-5-1 over their previous seven games.
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It was even more shocking that the team gave Julien a five year contract through the 2021-22 season. Claude has always been a respected coach, emphasizing defensive hockey, and having short leashes with young players, making them prove themselves in the defensive zone first, before getting time on the power play and more offensive shifts. But nonetheless, for Montreal, giving a five year contract to a guy a week after getting fired by his former team, who is you’re biggest rival at that, was a bit of a head scratcher.
Inheriting a first place team, Julien went 16-7-1 down the stretch, winning the division, but was bounced in the first round of the playoffs, falling in six games to the New York Rangers.
If the end of the 2016-17 season left a sour taste in the Canadiens and their fans mouths, one can only imagine the taste so far this season. Montreal is among the bottom five teams in league at just over the midway point with a record of 18-20-6.I highly doubt the Canadiens front office is pleased with a 34-27-7 (75 points) through the first 68 games of Julien’s second stint with the club. Especially when you factor in how well the Bruins have been playing, with all the young talent that they’ve had come up and make an impact since Julien’s departure.
After practice on Tuesday, Julien spoke to the Montreal media, and had only good things to say about his time in Boston.
"“When you spend that much time with an organization and a city, you have to cherish the opportunity to go back. I had great years there, I was treated well,” Julien said. “As much as there’s a rivalry on the ice (between Montreal and Boston), off the ice, I only have good things to say about Boston, the organization, the city and the fans, everything. I really enjoyed my time there, but in this business you need to move on so I’m going to move on tomorrow and go to Boston and work the best way I can to come away with two points.”"
Before the game starts, and even during the intermissions, I’m sure there will be plenty of standing ovations for Julien. After all, he did deliver the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup since 1972.
With that being said, Bruins fans and the Bruins themselves have to be pleased with the decision to let Julien go almost a year later. It feels like Bruce Cassidy knows what buttons to push with the younger players and has found the right mix to build something special in the years to come. Also, it doesn’t hurt to see Julien and the Canadiens at the bottom of the standings.
Other Game Day Notes
Adam McQuaid ( Leg) could return Wednesday night, he has missed the past 36 games, dating back to October 19th due to a broken leg. He skated this morning in Kevan Miller’s spot, who is battling an illness.
Jake Debrusk and Noel Acciari both appear good to go after missing Tuesday’s practice due to illness.
The team announced Wednesday afternoon that legendary anthem singer Rene Rancourt will be retiring at the end of the season. He has been singing the National Anthems prior to Bruins games for over 40 years. Here’s hoping for a deep playoff run so we get a few more epic fist pumps before the games.
Next: Recapping the 2004 Bruins Draft
Morning Rushes:
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk – David Krejci – Ryan Spooner
Jake DeBrusk – Riley Nash – David Backes
Tim Schaller – Sean Kuraly – Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara – Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug – Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk – Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask