Bruins Beat
by Bob Morello
Bruins giving gifts early
The holiday season is a time for giving, and on Tuesday night the Bruins demonstrated this against the Islanders, a team that had gone winless in their last five games (0-4-1) before arriving at the Garden. The gift-giving began almost immediately when the Islanders scored twice in the first 5:40, first capitalizing on a collision between Tuukka Rask and Brad Marchand for an unassisted goal, then adding another on an odd-man rush. Those early ‘gift’ goals dug Boston into a hole too deep to escape, allowing New York to snap their five-game winless streak with a 4-2 win.
The Bruins generated 95 attempts on net, with 50 shots reaching Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss, yet could not overcome the 3-0 deficit from the opening period. While Rask did not perform up to his usual standard, his teammates failed to provide adequate support or the crucial goals needed. Rask departed before the second period ended after allowing three goals on just 13 shots. Anton Khudobin took over in net for Boston for the remainder of the contest, surrendering only one power-play goal.
Boston continues to face familiar problems: a home-ice record of just 8 wins in 17 games, ineffective power-play scoring, and a shortage of even-strength goals from top performers. The offensive slump appears widespread, with Patrice Bergeron managing only four goals and five assists across 31 games, raising questions about a possible injury. The statistics for David Krejci and David Backes tell similar stories, both in the teens (19-16), while Jimmy Hayes, despite recent improvements, contributes just three points in 29 games.
Defensive contributions have also been minimal, totaling seven goals across 34 games: Zdeno Chara with two, Brandon Carlo with two, Colin Miller with two, and Torey Krug with one. The rest of the blue line has managed seven points, with Kevan Miller posting zero in 14 games and both Adam McQuaid and Joe Morrow with single points. Coach Claude Julien’s repeated line adjustments have failed to address the scoring deficit, and the struggling power play (0-3) at 12.7% remains problematic. When only the fourth line produces offense, as happened here, there is clearly a concern. Anton Blidh scored his first NHL goal and veteran Dominic Moore added his eighth of the season as the Bruins’ only scorers against the Islanders.
With David Pastrnak’s return still uncertain following elbow surgery, the upcoming road games against the Florida Panthers on Thursday (tonight) and the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday carry significant importance. Boston’s 37 points place them eighth in the Eastern Conference, but Florida (35 points, two back) and Carolina (33 points, four back) are pursuing closely with each holding a game in hand. The schedule ahead looks challenging, as Tuesday’s (10/27) opponent, the Columbus Blue Jackets, were on a ten-game winning streak at press time. Boston concludes their four-game road trip next Thursday (12/29) against the Buffalo Sabres, who sit at 32 points five back of Boston, though the Sabres have three games in hand.
Bruins Beat wishes all readers a very Merry Christmas!