Bruins vs. Predators 11/3/18 RECAP: Boston loses 1-0.

First Period:

Not much to report, I’m afraid. Boston just got rocked in all three periods and while they put up a brave face here, they unfortunately got suppressed where it mattered.

Roman Josi scored what would eventually become the GWG halfway through the period as he corralled a puck that was kind of squirming on him, then went to the net and got past Halak, making it 1-0 Predators.

Rough go of it defense-wise for...well...everybody.

Towards the end of the period, Brad Marchand got pissy with Colton Scissons and with the refs on an admittedly completely ridiculous pair of calls, and then got a game misconduct for his trouble. You can read more about that over here.

2nd Period:

Nada.

Zip.

Zilch.

Nothin’.

And the sick part is, this is where Boston actually put some more effort into attempting to score, but it didn’t last. After this period? Some heinous nonsense happened and more importantly, an absolutely painful moment of truth...

3rd Period:

Bogged down by horsecrap calls, getting shut out by Pekka Rinne and being incapable of getting shots to the man, The Boston Bruins straight up gave up on this game, putting only 6 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes. The Preds, who had taken a period off, came back around and dominated again, putting more shots on Jaroslav Halak than they did in the previous two, not that they needed it.

Horn sounded, the best in the NHL stayed the best in the NHL, and Boston has some soul-searching to do before they go and play Dallas at home.

Game Notes:

• Your leaders in the fancystats were David Pastrnak (59.26% in CF%), Brad Marchand (56.52% in CF%), and Zdeno Chara (56.41% in CF%)
• It cannot be overstated how big of a problem the depth for the Bruins is right now. A vast majority of the team couldn’t be counted on at 5v5, and it showed on the scoresheet. The Preds knew that shutting down the Bergeron line was practically the key to victory, and abused it mercilessly. Every other line was getting torn to pieces out there. Change has to come, and it might mean some players have to be taken out in favor of guys who just played a comparatively closer game (that they still lost) in Providence. They may not be perfect, but what’s happening right now isn’t working for anybody. The least the coaching staff/GM can do is start punishing those who aren’t pulling their weight,which is a lot of the team as it stands.
• To illustrate this point, the Third line as a whole recorded 5 shots on goal, recorded a combined 12 shot attempts-for, and were on the ice for 51 attempts against.
• Jaroslav Halak lost and his SV% shot up. If a goaltender plays like this, you really ought to reward him with at least a point or two.
• The refereeing in tonight’s game was by all accounts miserable, but a power play with 4 chances to score and getting nothing accomplished is frankly just as bad. There are good players in the PP units. This should not be an issue.
• Third time this year that this B’s squad has been shut out.
• 6 shots in the third? For real?
• Something. Has. To. Change.

Monday is when the Dallas Stars come to Boston. We’ll see you there.