How very convenient that the very first post happens to be when the Bruins played like.... well a nightmare.
Bruins forfeit a 4 game winning streak and a 12 game winning streak in Ottawa after losing to the Senators 4-2 in one of the most pathetic, discombobulated games the Bruins have played all season.
The first period was probably the best period we had and that says something because god they were awful after the first ten minutes. The goals off Eriksson and Marchand were beautiful but that was the only upside to this game.
It's hard to say what the biggest problem was since there were so many. The first thing I saw were those godforsaken turnovers. The Bruins couldn't have kept the puck on their sticks if it meant never having to deal with Pierre McGuire getting off on Sidney Crosby again. We were losing puck battles left and right, especially in our own zone. This came as a surprise because if there is anything consistent with the Bruins it's our ability to win those key battles in the corners. Or just puck battles in general. And it wasn't just Torey Krug, contrary to popular opinion. Granted Krug made a rookie mistake, but the whole team looked like a bunch of rookies when it came down to keeping the puck.
It didn't help that our defense basically fell apart. The holes in our defense were almost as big as Bryzgalov's five hole. They were no where near where they needed to be all game. There was no coverage of those key shooting lanes and the Senators were getting around them quickly and easily. The Bruins basically just stood there and watched. It was pathetic.
It's hard to say what the biggest problem was since there were so many. The first thing I saw were those godforsaken turnovers. The Bruins couldn't have kept the puck on their sticks if it meant never having to deal with Pierre McGuire getting off on Sidney Crosby again. We were losing puck battles left and right, especially in our own zone. This came as a surprise because if there is anything consistent with the Bruins it's our ability to win those key battles in the corners. Or just puck battles in general. And it wasn't just Torey Krug, contrary to popular opinion. Granted Krug made a rookie mistake, but the whole team looked like a bunch of rookies when it came down to keeping the puck.
It didn't help that our defense basically fell apart. The holes in our defense were almost as big as Bryzgalov's five hole. They were no where near where they needed to be all game. There was no coverage of those key shooting lanes and the Senators were getting around them quickly and easily. The Bruins basically just stood there and watched. It was pathetic.
Cue a Tuukka Tantrum because the worst part was that Tuukka Rask was left basically unassisted. He is arguably the best goalie in the league right now so there was no reason for that many goals to get past him. But without adequate support out front there's only so much he can do. The Senators were smart and played off of that lack of support. They got Rask to move laterally and took advantage of the hole left in the net where his back up should have been. The Bruins also let Rask get screened constantly, which is ridiculous. I'm surprised Rask's stick made it through the period (but those poor poor milk crates...) |
We also did that horribly obnoxious thing we always do and gave up in the 3rd period. We had no drive and there was no effort to bury that puck. It was constant passing until they turned the puck over. When we decided that firing the puck was a thing we needed to do, it went straight into the goalie's chest. There was no offensive strategy in shooting. Face it Bruins, unless you plan on shooting a puck fast enough to pierce through someone's body or are Zdeno Chara's 108 mph slap shot, that's just not gonna work.
The number of stupid penalties we took only added to the mess. That penalty by Iginla for charging in the last few minutes of the third was the LAST thing the Bruins needed if they had any plans of coming back. We got clumsy and were not at all self aware. Seidenberg's elbow to Bobby Ryan's head is a prime example of it. Seidenberg will be lucky not to hear from the league about it once it comes to light how serious the injury is. It all made for a rough rough game for us Bruins fans.
So what do we need to do to make sure this type of loss doesn't happen again?
We all know the Bruins are capable of more than this. We've seen it. So let's hope they show up on Monday
So keep calm and Bergeron my lovely Bruins fans, until next time!
The number of stupid penalties we took only added to the mess. That penalty by Iginla for charging in the last few minutes of the third was the LAST thing the Bruins needed if they had any plans of coming back. We got clumsy and were not at all self aware. Seidenberg's elbow to Bobby Ryan's head is a prime example of it. Seidenberg will be lucky not to hear from the league about it once it comes to light how serious the injury is. It all made for a rough rough game for us Bruins fans.
So what do we need to do to make sure this type of loss doesn't happen again?
- Our defense needs to tighten up. They need to work together and read the play better. It's all about that chemistry.
- We need to keep battling for those pucks. This less than full effort leads to turn overs.
- Our offensive needs to find that drive and sustain it.
- We need to shoot the puck and ask questions later. This passing nonsense is getting old and is real ineffective.
- Lift the puck, screen the goalie and get him to move (simple hockey sense). Firing into his chest isn't going to get the puck in the back of the net.
- Do the pain in the ass thing we always do and cause some mayhem in front of the net. Create turmoil in front of the goalie and bam, there's a goal.
We all know the Bruins are capable of more than this. We've seen it. So let's hope they show up on Monday
So keep calm and Bergeron my lovely Bruins fans, until next time!