Key Takeaways: Boston Bruins Downed in Shootout

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins fell to the Nashville Predators in the opening game of a three-game roadie on Tuesday night, 3-2. It took extra time and then a shootout to decide the game, but it was Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne who reigned supreme.

Boston has now lost three of its last four games and six of seven overall. While the offensive chances were prevalent, the inability to finish them off ultimately once again cost them. The power play was given three chances and failed to convert.

The Bruins did battle hard in going up against one of the NHL’s top teams. Tuukka Rask stood tall in net. He was bombarded by Nashville’s offense. Rask deserved to win after turning aside 38 of 40 shots.

The effort was undoubtedly there. Boston fought back after falling behind 2-1 in the third. Two goals just isn’t going to cut it on most nights.

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Here are my key takeaways from the loss:

1. Offense lacks finish

A slew of opportunities passed the Bruins by despite goals from Milan Lucic and Reilly Smith. They tallied 35 total shots on goal, but they just weren’t good enough to beat the world-class likes of Rinne. Three power plays didn’t help to yield a goal. The team desperately needs top-line center David Krejci back in the lineup to provide a spark.

2. Defense needs to tighten up

A team with such glaring offensive issues should be making it a point to tighten up defensively. Nashville tallied 40 shots on goal. The Bruins were fortunate to force overtime and earn a point. Rask has been without a doubt there most valuable player in there last three games. He’s given them a chance to win as they’ve lost each of those games by just one goal.

3. 4th line needs to produce

You know times are tough when the fourth line’s offensive ineptitude is being spotlighted. Sure the whole team is struggling, but Gregory Campbell had a couple of prime scoring chances and didn’t convert. Milan Lucic even set him up on an easy one-time attempt, but it was all for not. Daniel Paille has scored just one goal this season.

4. Lucic is easy to love and easy to hate

Lucic provided the offense with some life as he tallied a second-period goal on a doorstep jam job. He also committed an ill-advised hooking penalty when he took down Seth Jones in the same period. The Predators went on to cash in on the power play. It’s just an example of how little room for error this time really has right now.

5. Big Z is rounding into form

After showing signs of rust in his prior two games following a layoff due to a knee injury, Zdeno Chara played well Tuesday. Boston’s captain tallied 25+ minutes of ice time, blocked three shots and tallied two hits. He fired three shots on goal as well.

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