Cam Neely, the Boston Bruins' President of Hockey Operations, didn't mince words after the team's first-round playoff exit. While the Bruins surprised many by clinching a postseason berth, their momentum fizzled fast, falling to the Buffalo Sabres in six games. For Neely, the message is clear: home ice needs to become a fortress again.

"Disappointing the way we played at home in the playoffs," Neely said Wednesday. "Can't skate around that. Our home regular-season record was outstanding. For whatever reason, we couldn't make it happen in the playoffs. That's on us."

Boston dominated at TD Garden during the regular season, but that edge vanished when it mattered most. Neely acknowledged the growing pains—several players got their first taste of playoff hockey, and that experience is "invaluable." But he also stressed that the team understands "there is a lot more work to do."

Despite the playoff stumble, Neely had nothing but praise for the Bruins faithful. "They were thrilled about the passion of our fanbase," he said. "They saw it from afar, and then when they were wearing the Spoked-B, they just reveled in what our fans bring to every game. I want to thank our fans for continuing to do that year after year."

Now, the offseason looms with high stakes. Boston isn't just aiming to return to the playoffs—they're looking to build a roster capable of a deep run. For fans rocking the black and gold, the expectation is simple: come back stronger, sharper, and ready to make some noise when it counts.