The autopsies on the Boston Bruins are being performed all over, from fans and media memers alike.

The only one that counts, however, is really the one the Bruins perform on themselves.

It’s another year in which Boston goes without a Stanley Cup, and every year since their last one in 2011 there were various reasons.

What is it this year? Simply put, the Bruins were beaten by a slightly better team.

Playoff hockey is a totally different animal than regular season. The Hurricanes won three decisive games from Boston during the regular season and it looked like they’d sweep the B’s right out of the playoffs in no time.

But we knew when Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy made a couple of lineup changes, most notably putting the younger netminder Jeremy Swayman in net, that things would change.

And they did.

Game 7s are a crapshoot, and even though home ice isn’t as much of a big deal as home court is in the NBA, the Bruins have won only won one road game seven. That one got them a Cup in 2011 as they literally caused a riot in Vancouver.

And if you look back at that night, and fast forward to the present, what’s significant is that the goal scorers for Boston in that Cup winner were Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.

One will most certainly be back. The other we doubt it.

Marchand isn’t going anywhere. But Bergeron is a free agent, his contract expired, but is also at that age, 36, when it’s time to make real life decisions.

We think he’ll decide to retire.

Of course Bruins fans hope not. But if Bergeron does call it quits, it’s a clear signal the B’s need to move forward. The good ‘ol days are gone.

But this shouldn’t mean they should clean house, either in the front office, coaches or lineup. Don Sweeney hasn’t drafted all that great but he’s certainly proved he’ll go out and try to get what the team needs to succeed, as the trades for Taylor Hall last year and Hampus Lindholm have shown.

Cassidy? That’s a tricky one. He’s not afraid to tell it like it is and most fans love that but general managers cringe. We found out during the regular season that Bergeron was not a big fan and that poor Jake DeBrusk didn’t like Coach Cassidy being mean to him. Poor baby.

If Cassidy comes back, you can probably bet Bergeron won’t.

The other thing is a coach has only so much shelf life in the NHL. Or really — with rare exceptions like what we’ve seen in Foxborough for the last 20 years – pro sports in general. Cassidy’s high point was the 2019 Cup Finals, and now his stint has been reduced to a first round ouster. Not the direction you’d like to see.

If this was the 1980s and Harry Sinden was pressing the ejector seat buttons, there’d be all sorts of bodies flying out of TD Garden. But this is a different NHL, and unless the Bruins fall out of clear contention, anything is possible.

Game off – for now.

tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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