Boston Bruins: The B’s were unable to execute in game 3
By Sam Minton
The Boston Bruins dropped their first game of the playoffs on Monday night. The Bruins had plenty of chances to gain the lead but were unable to defeat the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
You can’t win them all. The Boston Bruins were riding high after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead. They were dominating the Toronto Maple Leafs, but that all changed on Monday night. The Bruins were unable to execute and they were beaten by the Maple Leafs.
Scoring chances aplenty
The Bruins had some great chances to tie the game late in the 3rd period. The B’s outshot the Maple Leafs 42-30. The Bruins were rattling shots off the post and it seemed like the net was on lockdown. Now Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen had an amazing game, he had 40 saves, but the Bruins should have gotten more goals.
One player who had a lot of opportunities was David Pastrnak. His teammates were feeding him the puck, but he was unable to get it past Andersen. Also Patrice Bergeron had some good chances but was not able to score.
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It was a rough night for the Bruins first line as Bergeron, and Pastrnak finished at -2, and Brad Marchand finished at -3.
It just seemed like the hockey gods were not on the Bruins side.
The defense was lacking
Tuukka Rask wasn’t the reason behind the Maple Leafs 4 goals. It was the defense. They had an awful night struggling to get back, and allowing some easy scoring chances. The only goal that can not be blamed on the defense is Auston Matthews snipe in the 2nd period. Both of Patrick Marleau’s goals were the results of 2 on 1 breaks, and James Van Riemsdyk muscled his way to the front of the net to score the first goal of the game. It doesn’t look like things will be getting easier, because the Bruins may have lost another player.
McQuaid goes down
In the 3rd period, Adam McQuaid would be forced to leave the game after taking a puck to the neck area. He was down on the ice on all fours but eventually made his way to the Bruins locker room. He did come back to play, and the reports after the game make it sound like he will be playing on Thursday.
McQuaid had a great game scoring his first goal of the playoffs. The Bruins can’t afford to lose one of their defensemen. Especially after a rough game. It would put a ton of pressure on Matt Grzelcyk and Nick Holden.
The good thing for the B’s is that they get to lick their wounds as they get a short break. The Maple Leafs won’t have as much momentum, and hopefully the Bruins will be able to get the win. The B’s need to return to Boston with the series lead. The young guns need to be able to relax and not be forcing plays.
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This next game will dictate the rest of the series. Will the Bruins bounce back or will they give hope to Toronto?