Your Boston Bruins embarked on a 2-game roadtrip with the first leg last night in STL, then they follow that up with a tilt in Big D vs. the Stars on Thursday night. The Bruins got the W in St. Louis, so now everything’s good right? The team has fixed what ails them?
I’ll give them credit, they didn’t come out as flat as has been the norm the last few games, and the pace was fairly even for the first (although the B’s led the stat sheet in giveaways for sure). In the middle frame, the wheels fell off as the B’s gave up not 1, but 2 power play goals. Both goals were complete breakdowns, where the B’s PK unit completely lost track of the Blues’ goal scorers. This looked more like beer league than the NHL to be honest.
And if you thought Schenn was all alone on the first goal, I have this video for you. If you listen to the announcer he calls it an empty-netter for Sundqvist and I can’t argue.
So the Bruins head to the 2nd intermission down by 2 goals on 14SOG by the Blues. Puke. Not exactly how the Bruins have historically played. Would they roll over? Was that the end of this season’s campaign already? Not so fast.
Morgan Geekie got the gorilla off his back as he beat Binnington to get the B’s on the board. Nice to see this go for Geekie after being health-bombed for the last 3GP. Sidenote: Is there a more unlikeable goalie in the NHL than Binnington? No, I agree, he’s the worst.
Then, Chuckie Bright Lights ties it up (and another monkey off a player’s back).
Then the GWG: Of course it was Pasta.
That’s the Bruins first multi-goal comeback of the year and the first time they’ve won a game trailing heading into the third period.
But here’s my real issue, and it’s not with the players. Let me set the scene for you: The Bruins have a one-goal lead with less than 2mins to play and St. Louis has pulled their goalie. The Bruins ice the puck (uncharacteristic play by this squad over the last 5-7 years, but I digress), at this point the B’s players on the ice are gassed and STL is pushing for the equalizer. Perfect time for a timeout, no? Don’t get me wrong, Montgomery and the coaching staff have forgotten more hockey than I’ll ever know, but that seems like a pretty good spot to call for a breather for the guys on the ice? Then they get a whistle, fresh bodies on the ice and the Blues have to put back in Binnington for the draw and Monty puts Pasta out there? Love him or hate him, but no one is describing Pasta’s game as defensively responsible.
It ended up not hurting the Bruins, but those were a couple of curious decisions to end the game in my opinion. They say winning cures everything, so we’ll see moving forward.
The Morning Skate 