In a game that exemplified some of the team's most recent woes, the Bruins fell to the Maple Leafs for the first time since Game 7 of the playoffs last night 4-3.
The Bruins started the game off strong with a goal early in the first from Brad Marchand. But the Bruins couldn't maintain the lead and despite out-shooting the Leafs 15-7, the Bruins went into the second tied after two goals from Tyler Bozak.
The Bruins were hoping to go into the second and resstablish their offensive presence but their penalty kill woes continued as Toronto scored 7 minutes into the period on the power play. The Bruins went on to out-shoot the Leafs once again 22-13 but were unable to capitalize on their chances.
The third period ended up sealing the game when JVR scored the GWG goal just one minute into the third period. The Bruins attempted to rally with a late goal from Gregory Campbell but it was too late.
The Bruins started the game off strong with a goal early in the first from Brad Marchand. But the Bruins couldn't maintain the lead and despite out-shooting the Leafs 15-7, the Bruins went into the second tied after two goals from Tyler Bozak.
The Bruins were hoping to go into the second and resstablish their offensive presence but their penalty kill woes continued as Toronto scored 7 minutes into the period on the power play. The Bruins went on to out-shoot the Leafs once again 22-13 but were unable to capitalize on their chances.
The third period ended up sealing the game when JVR scored the GWG goal just one minute into the third period. The Bruins attempted to rally with a late goal from Gregory Campbell but it was too late.
Bruins Positives
1. Our offensive pressure looked good. As I mentioned we were getting great chances and had plenty of shots on goal. We came out flying in the first and for the last ten minutes of the game.
2. Johnny Boychuk's hit on JVR deserves some sort of award for general badassery because JVR had his world rocked. It was wonderful.
3. PJ Axelsson made his return to the Garden last night for the ceremonial puck drop.
4. Thornton obviously didn't let the suspension put a damper on his fighting spirit because he was right back at it again last night when he fought Frazer McLaren and tidily handled the bout.
5. The Sam Berns tribute.
2. Johnny Boychuk's hit on JVR deserves some sort of award for general badassery because JVR had his world rocked. It was wonderful.
3. PJ Axelsson made his return to the Garden last night for the ceremonial puck drop.
4. Thornton obviously didn't let the suspension put a damper on his fighting spirit because he was right back at it again last night when he fought Frazer McLaren and tidily handled the bout.
5. The Sam Berns tribute.
Bruins Goals
1. Brad Marchand's Snap Shot: After some heavy foot work in front of the net, Reilly Smith gains possession of the puck and takes the shot on Bernier, who manages to deflect it but can't control the rebound. Marchand just so happens to be perfectly positioned and buries it on Bernier's stick side. This was Marchand's 11th goal of the season.
2. Patrice Bergeron's Wrap Around: After Marchand takes a shot on goal, Bernier deflects it and Bergeron takes possession before wrapping it around the goal post and scoring through Bernier's pads. This was Bergeron's 11th goal of the season.
3. Gregory Campbell's Backhander: Off a feed from Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell takes the shot right in front and manages to score the last goal of the game. This was his 3rd of the year.
2. Patrice Bergeron's Wrap Around: After Marchand takes a shot on goal, Bernier deflects it and Bergeron takes possession before wrapping it around the goal post and scoring through Bernier's pads. This was Bergeron's 11th goal of the season.
3. Gregory Campbell's Backhander: Off a feed from Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell takes the shot right in front and manages to score the last goal of the game. This was his 3rd of the year.
Bruins Negatives
1. Our penalty kill and power play lately has been awful. Just plain awful. Our power play may be 10th in the league (which is pretty good compared to past years since we lost Savard), but we are way overdue for a power play goal. Our penalty kill has been atrocious for the first time in a long time. We're really starting to feel the loss of Seidenberg and Kelly. It's like we have come to expect short handed goals now and it's not okay.
2. Our defense looks lost. Rask has literally no support up front and they've stopped playing simple Bruins hockey. They're shifting between aggressiveness and passiveness at all the wrong times. They're relying heavily on the offense to get the puck while they lead the drive into the offensive zone, which ends up tying up the offense along the boards and preventing opportunities. Our defense needs to figure itself out and soon to convince Chiarelli there's no need for a trade because as of right now, it looks like trades are a viable option.
Looking on the bright side of things, we are facing the Stars tomorrow at the Garden which gives us an opportunity to redeem ourselves for this loss.
Until then,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!
2. Our defense looks lost. Rask has literally no support up front and they've stopped playing simple Bruins hockey. They're shifting between aggressiveness and passiveness at all the wrong times. They're relying heavily on the offense to get the puck while they lead the drive into the offensive zone, which ends up tying up the offense along the boards and preventing opportunities. Our defense needs to figure itself out and soon to convince Chiarelli there's no need for a trade because as of right now, it looks like trades are a viable option.
Looking on the bright side of things, we are facing the Stars tomorrow at the Garden which gives us an opportunity to redeem ourselves for this loss.
Until then,
Keep Calm and Bergeron!