Bruins' chances at Stanley Cup won't be derailed by pause, Neely says

Cam Neely said he's confident the Boston Bruins can pick up where they left off after they won the Presidents' Trophy.

"I think our guys recognize that we had a legitimate chance to do well and have a deep run in the [Stanley Cup Playoffs]," the Bruins president said Wednesday. "Obviously, our goal all along is to win the Stanley Cup. That goal is not going to change. From what I understand, talking to some of the guys, they're anxious and excited."

The Bruins won 16 of their final 20 games before the NHL paused the season March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Boston, which lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at home to the St. Louis Blues last season, was 44-14-12 and had the most points (100) and the highest points percentage (.714) in the League.

Neely said he's hopeful the Bruins can experience similar success when the NHL resumes. The League announced its Return to Play Plan on Tuesday with 24 teams in competition for the Stanley Cup.

"I think if we were to look back from where we ended Game 7 loss to where we finished up at the pause, I think it says a lot about the team and the players and how they prepared in the offseason, how they prepared all year," Neely said. "They've all always looked at, 'We've got some unfinished business,' so I would assume that's what they're still thinking about."

Backup goalie Jaroslav Halak expressed the same sentiments May 2, when he signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract for next season.

"I think everybody knows that we have unfinished business," Halak said. "I hope the season can resume and we can start off where we finished."

The situation is new for all concerned, but Neely said he believes some of his players can draw from the experiences learned during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.

After playing 48 regular-season games, the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final, where it lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. It was a season Neely called "a sprint to the playoffs."

"There wasn't really much of a feeling-out process once that season started," he said. "So this will be very similar to a degree, not as many games, but there won't be a feeling-out process. It'll be 'drop the puck.'"

If the Bruins do win the Stanley Cup, Neely said he isn't concerned about anyone questioning the championship.

"We've had shortened seasons, whether it's lockouts or strikes and have had Stanley Cup champions. I don't recall seeing asterisks besides those years," Neely said. "I don't see why this is any different. … If you're going to play four rounds and beat those teams, I don't see why there needs to be an asterisk beside the Stanley Cup champion."