The Boston Bruins need to win on Friday night. They have played terrible in their last two games. If the Bruins want to advance to the next round they need to improve their game.
Watching Boston Bruins games as of late has been brutal. Not because the games were horrible, but because the Bruins have been unable to get anything going. It makes you want to put your fist through a wall.
The Bruins have struggled all over the ice. Bruce Cassidy will be looking at the film trying to find a way to crack the Tampa Bay Lightning’s code.
The Bruins need to clean up their game and just play better. The Lightning have been attacking like a K-9 dog as soon as the puck is dropped. They are on the aggressive and forcing the Bruins to play a much more passive game.
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If the Bruins want to win they can not allow this to happen. They need to be the aggressor and dictating the pace of play.
Game 4 is a must-win game for the Bruins. If they fall once again to Tampa Bay they may have dug a hole for themselves that they are unable to climb out of. The Bruins need to take advantage of playing at home in front of a packed TD Garden and dominate the Lightning. If the Boston Bruins are able to do these next 3 things they will be able to tie the series up and take all of the Lightning’s momentum away from them.
Play a clean 60 minutes
The Boston Bruins have made too many mistakes in the last couple of games. The clear example from game 3 is the first goal of the game. Matt Grzelcyk needs to stay with the puck. You can’t lose the puck in your own zone. He basically led Ondrej Palat to the net like he was a waiter in a restaurant.
The Bruins need to play a near-perfect game in their own zone. They need to get the puck out when they have the opportunity. There have been way too many times that it took 3 or 4 tries to get the puck out of the zone. This allows the Lightning to have more time to execute their gameplan in the Bruins zone as well as have more scoring opportunities.
The Bruins struggles in their own zone have also affected the offensive aspect of their game. The Bruins have struggled to get quality outlet passes. This causes them to struggle entering Tampa Bay’s zone and limits their scoring opportunities. If the Bruins are able to play a clean 60 minutes you will see a much better team.
The Bruins have played sloppy in their last couple of games. If they are able to clean up their mess they will have a much better performance in game 4.
The Boston Bruins need to get on the board first
The Bruins need to score the first goal of the game. They have been unable to do this so far this series. The Lightning have been able to take the wind out of the Bruins sails early on by managing to score the first goal of the game.
If the Bruins are able to light the lamp first they will immediately be energized. The TD Garden will be rocking and they will be able to play with the lead, which will calm the players (and the fans) nerves.
I expect the lines to be changed up. Hopefully, with Ryan Donato in the lineup, the Bruins will get on the scoreboard first. If the Bruins give up the first goal of the game once again it will be a punch in the gut. Bruins fans confidence isn’t at an all-time high so it is hard to expect the Bruins to have another crazy comeback.
The Bruins need to attack and put the pressure on the Lightning. Tampa Bay is currently in the driver’s seat and doesn’t have to worry about adjusting their game. They have been able to win without significant production from their top line.
If the Bruins can strike first it will drastically improve their chances of winning on Friday night.
Tuukka Rask needs to play out of his mind
Don’t take this as a knock on Rask’s performance in the series. Tuukka has been one of the lone bright spots for the Bruins. He has made some incredible saves and has given the Bruins a chance to win night in and night out.
Sadly that hasn’t been enough. Rask will need to stand on his head for 60 minutes. The Bruins need him to steal the game from the Lightning. Rask has been great in spurts, but he needs a complete effort on Friday night.
The Bruins have struggled to help out their goaltender so he needs to help himself. If Rask is able to do this he will prove that he is an elite goaltender who doesn’t wither under pressure.
Game 4 is the most important game of the Bruins season. If they lose it is going to be insanely hard to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Winning 3 straight games against the Lightning isn’t an easy task.
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So get out your lucky hat, and shirt because the Bruins need all the help they can get in game 4. The Bruins need to win or else their season will be on life support.