Late-arriving Bruins’ offense proves costly at Carolina
Bruins were hit by the Hurricanes
After being shut out Monday, the Bruins failed to score for the first 44 minutes Wednesday night on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Although they wound up scoring two third-period goals, they were never able to catch the ‘Canes en route to a 3-2 loss, which dropped them to 1-3- on the season.
Carolina is now 1-2-1 on the year.
Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand scored the Bruins’ goals. Carolina got goals from Joni Pitkanen, Anthony Stewart and Jiri Tlusty. Cam Ward was brilliant in the ‘Canes net with 26 saves on 28 shots.
Here are a few quick notes:
•Already without No. 1 center David Krejci, the Bruins lost defenseman Adam McQuaid in the third period. McQuaid crashed into the end boards under his own power and did not return to the game once he was able to get off the ice.
•Seguin filled in admirably for Krejci, with a goal among his four shots on net. If Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton could just finish, this would’ve been a different game.
•Of course, when the first line’s not scoring, it helps to have a potent power play. The Bruins, however, were 0-for-5 and barely generated momentum, never mind scoring chances, on their man advantages. Patrice Bergeron moved up front without Krejci. Johnny Boychuk got on one of the units and got a couple shots through on net. But there was just no activity around the net to cash in on tips or rebounds.
•Benoit Pouliot earned a couple shifts on a line with Bergeron and Marchand in the third. He looked pretty active again in just 10:05 of ice time. Maybe it’s time to get his big body onto the power play.
•This is not a misprint: Tomas Kaberle, the former gun-shy Bruins blueliner, fired three — yes, three! — shots on net.
•With former Bruins head coach Dave Lewis now behind Carolina’s bench as an assistant, it shouldn’t be a surprise Carolina was called for too many men on the ice twice. The Bruins led the world in that infraction under Lewis.
•Bryan Allen blocked seven shots for Carolina, which registered 22 blocks as a team.
I like Pouliot on the third line. He created some turn overs and played a solid defensive game. He could use some finish before I’d put him on the PP.
For most of the game that was like watching the Bruins offense from two years ago combined with the PP from last year. Brutal.
TT and Seguin were good though, and I too was pleasantly surprised by Pouliot. I’m sure RD knows what he’s talking about, but at this point I’d like to think it’s a change of scenery thing with Pouliot. I can hope anyway.
i only saw the third period. The 2 goals Carolina scored were the result of turnovers and bad coverage. Caron got burned pretty good on the third goal scored.
On the positive front, i was truly impressed with the development and confidence shown by Seguin. Great goal created by speed. However, what i really noticed was on one shift he came back into the Bruins end, fought along the wall for a puck, won the battle, and moved the puck up ice. Huge improvement over last year.
What’s with Quaider putting himself head first into the end boards–AGAIN?!? Tough luck for sure. Hope the Mullet Prince isn’t too bad off, but it certainly didn’t look good.
MattK, you said it all in your post and it’s been followed up in the comments. The PP is painful to watch already and there’s not enough jam early. They haven’t been too big or bad yet, but it’s early, it’ll come.
And really, who was that wearing Kaberle’s sweater last night? WTF?!? Dude had 3 shots during his entire time with the B’s, forget about 3 in one game!
Last night not withstanding, their pp has not looked terrible. It might be a function of losing Krejci, but it’s not quite time yet after 1 really bad game of pp.
Fun note: Seguin got just over 20:00 last night. Is there anyone who would now like to complain that he needs more ice time? He’s looking real good though.
It’s early. Bruins are still my pick for the north east.
As for Pouliot, he’ll perform when you don’t expect it, rarely when you do.
What’s up with Quaider after taking that standing 8 count? Did you see him throw some solid coverage in front of his net, on Ference? Dude was seriously disorientated. Shows his guts that he played out the PK on instincts alone it seemed. Hope he’s okay.
Lets get back to some basics for a bit for the PP. Like possibly putting shots on net and crashing. I also would love to see any sort of intensity PRIOR to getting down a goal. In the last two games it been like watching a morning skate until they are down and then suddenly its lights a fire under them.
I have to admit I to was changing the channel last night to. I am just thinking it is early in the season but some of these b’s are just not ready to play yet. A power play is an advantage and i just don’t think Claude really understands that deep down. He just loves the 2-1 games and never wants to open it up. But in all fairness to the team I think they are still feeling each other out. I dare say we need an ugly game soon or as I view it a Feb 3 2011 Dallas type game which started the run.
I can’t beleive that I’m already changing the channel when the B’s are on the power play like I did last year. How did they address this weakness in training camp? Do we need to hire a power play coach? They look lost out there.
MattK
I don’t know about Pouliot on the PP, but how about the KLH or SLH line, with Bergeron and Boychuk on the points. At the end of playoffs, last year, Claude did use this group and they looked good. Boychuk does get his shot away quickly and its low, while Bergeron is a good passer. I thought Lucic and Horton had more jump to their game tonight.
This is getting painful. If quaider gets injured to we’ll be in a deeper hole. I never really bought into cup hangovers. Fortunately it’s only 4 games into the season…but the losses are starting to change my mind.
TT was his usual self in net.
Seguin looked very strong at center…more work on face offs and he’ll be a very tough match up.
Tough luck around the opposition net, again, for Lucic.
Pouliot played well and deserved the added ice time on Bergeron’s line.
Kelly and Peverley weren’t good much of the game.
Did Pitkanen’s goal go off Seidenberg’s skate?
Good observation Matt K on Lewis–he is the king of too-many-men–but it is the only way his teams can win–which was rare enough!