Sweeney: Next 3 games 'a key period of assessment'

In the eyes of general manager Don Sweeney, the Boston Bruins are now on the clock.

Fresh off the announcement that the Bruins parted ways with longtime head coach Claude Julien, replacing him temporarily with former assistant Bruce Cassidy, Sweeney addressed the media to lay out his vision for the club moving forward.

"The expectations have not changed for this organization," Sweeney said. "We expect the players to make a push and get into the playoffs ... I want our players to understand this falls with me and on them moving forward, whether or not we get in and how far we go as an organization."

Sweeney, who's in his second season at the helm of the Bruins organization, cited the team's upcoming three-game stretch - the last three before their bye week - as a key period of assessment.

"I would like to see how the team responds in the next three games, and then we certainly have a big break to see how far we'll be back in the playoff race," Sweeney said.

"I'm looking for alignment from top to bottom as to what our expectations are, from the players that have won to the players that are coming in, and I won't to be in consult with the next coach of the Boston Bruins while I am evaluating the current staff - I'll have a list of candidates that will fall in line with what I am trying to do."

The Bruins will suit up against the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens in their next three games, the first coming Thursday night. San Jose and Montreal come to town as the leaders of their respective divisions, the latter club having posted a 2-0-1 record against Boston this season.

Sweeney said his club has the tools necessary to earn victories in those three games.

"I think on any given night, we can beat any given team," Sweeney said. "Whether or not we can maintain the consistency to get to where we need to, that's going to unfold in the next 27 (games)."