I'm glad I get a couple games off from recapping this team's struggles. This was awful.
1st Period where all the interesting stuff happened:
The Preds were basically gifted their first goal almost 3 minutes in by karma and by the boards, and Craig Smith blasts it right over Rask at point blank range.
What kills me about this was that the puck basically drifted right to where Forsberg could throw it to Craig Smith, and it was uncontested in any way. This was just a complete structural breakdown and it's a grim reminder of how far the Bruins have to go.
Speaking of Forsberg, he got his goal in the same period off of two great passes that bypassed the defense completely and forced Rask to try and make a glove save...and tuck it under his leg.
This is what happens when your defense cannot adequately create turnovers. You get chances like this. The Bruins would get a Power Play to end the period, and maybe get some hope as they go into the 1st intermission...
2nd & 3rd Period:
Unfortunately, they couldn't cash in.
Both teams proceeded to go and do
Yeah. That. For the next 39 minutes. Shots went on, but both goaltenders prevented the score from getting any better or worse. Penalties were called, and both PKs were perfect. The best opportunity the Bruins ever got to scoring on Rinne was three separate chances: One on a redirection chance by David Pastrnak in the second period. One by David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron in the third on the Power Play, and Dennis Seidenberg, who dove to try and get this puck on Rinne, who saved it anyway so who the hell cares, right.
In short, this game was atrocious. On to Dallas on Saturday at 8pm.
Miscellaneous Thoughts:
- The Bruins bad start was made only worse that the Bruins lost this game by only those two goals. Losing in the first period might be my least favorite thing in hockey games.
- David Pastrnak had plenty of fantastic chances and it pains me personally that he hasn't been able to score yet on many of his great chances. Hopefully against a less overwhelming defense he can start getting some of that spark back.
- Chara was bad tonight. Really bad. While he's the best minute eater of the team, his possession numbers are starting to turn in the wrong direction. This I choose to believe is a symptom of having to make useful possession with a defense that refuses to get better until the deadline. Don had better make a move. He has to at this point.
- Every time the Bruins have a chance to solidify the fact they aren't doing as bad as we'd like to think they are, they lose. It feels routine at this point, and it is terrible for fan morale.
- Rask was fine. He made a valiant effort to stop that Forsberg goal and that's all I could really ask of him. His offense was being eaten alive by Nashville's forecheck, and Boston's defense more than once required him to make a save without any extra help. The fact his defense is now actively trying to kill him is probably getting to him.
- The Bruins should thank their lucky stars the Atlantic was awful across the board tonight. Noone was able to get points but TBL, who now have 66. Of course, now they HAVE to beat Dallas, or TBL could win and tie them. Or Detroit could pass them.
Again, come suffer with join us for Dallas at 8pm.
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