The Bruins are no strangers to falling into ruts under Jim Montgomery’s watch.
But it’s never happened when leaves are still clinging onto branches before the winter chill sets in.
During Boston’s record-setting 2022-23 campaign, the Bruins opened the year 17-2-0 entering Thanksgiving week.
The following year? A revamped roster featuring several bargain-bin signings went 14-1-3 over a similar stretch.
Expectations were even higher this year, especially after Boston seemingly bolstered its roster by signing top offseason targets like Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.
But those elevated expectations haven’t translated into results. Through eight games, Boston sits at just 3-4-1 — with repeated miscues and lapses in execution hampering a rudderless roster out of the gate.