Recap: Bounces don't go the Bruins' way as they fall to Winnipeg, 4-3

No Streamables for last night’s game, so unfortunately, you’re stuck with a good ol’ fashioned text recap!

While the Bruins’ overall effort was much better last night than it was Tuesday in Columbus, the result was the same: a regulation loss, their third in a row.

The Winnipeg Jets held on down the stretch to escape with a 4-3 win, as the Bruins had a couple of looks with the goalie pulled but were unable to pull out the miracle finish.

A third-period goal by Nikolaj Ehlers stood up as the game winner, and was one of two friendly bounces that benefited the Jets in the third. A strong forecheck by Kevin Hayes led to a loose puck skittering toward the slot; Danton Heinen attempted to kick the puck to his stick, but ended up kicking it right to Ehlers, who didn’t miss.

Earlier in the third, a bouncing puck was somehow (maybe skate, maybe stick, maybe both) directed into the net by Jacob Trouba, breaking a 3-2 tie. While it’s probably a bit of a stretch to say the Bruins deserved to win, those two bounces ended up being the difference.

And while you were left shaking your head after Tuesday’s game, last night’s was a better all-around effort, especially considering the injury situation.

Game notes

• I thought Paul Carey actually looked pretty sharp last night, based solely on the eye test. He wasn’t electric, but seemed to have jump from the get-go and created a number of chances. David Krejci set him up more than a few times, but Carey wasn’t able to convert. I don’t think he’s a long-term answer for a top-six role on this team, but he certainly showed that he wasn’t in over his head.
• The other Providence call-up, Connor Clifton, struck me as being fun to watch last night. He seems to play with a sort of controlled chaos, flying around and throwing his body into people or wheeling the puck out of the zone and kind of just taking off. I’m not sure why I didn’t notice this in his first call-up, but it was noticeable (sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way) for stretches last night.
• Tuukka Rask appeared to want the Bruins to challenge Trouba’s go-ahead goal, probably for goalie interference. Rask looked to the officials right away, but they weren’t buying it. Rask could also be seen gesturing to the bench at one point, but video showed Bruce Cassidy and Co. checking out the replay; they decline to get involved. Watching it, Rask may have hard an argument, as Trouba’s skate makes contact with Rask’s leg as the puck goes on. There probably wasn’t enough there to overturn the goal, but it could have been worth a shot.
• After weeks of strong play, the WAK Line earned itself some doghouse time last night. Whether it was penalties taken by members of the line or just not enough hard work, a couple of those guys earned themselves spots on the bench in the first period. They’d work their way back in, but it goes to show that Cassidy has a short leash.
• Charlie Coyle’s first goal as a Bruin is likely what they hope to see more of going forward. No, not just the “he actually scored” part, but the net-front presence/big body screening the goalie stuff. It was a great tip by Coyle.
• David Backes isn’t the answer on the first line. I’m sure Cassidy is just trying to add some weight to that line and to get Backes going, but he hasn’t meshed with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, and just doesn’t appear to be a good fit. Heinen got a shift or two back on that line toward the end of the game.
• As a team, Winnipeg as a ton of offensive firepower, but they make some curious decisions with the puck. If they flame out early in the playoffs, it’ll probably be because of a leaky blueline.

Back at it Saturday!