Boston Bruins Fall To Canadiens 4-2 Due To Bad Discipline
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins lost the last five games against the Montreal Canadiens and had only won once in the previous 11 games versus the Canadiens before once again losing to them 4-2.
Live Feed
Puck Prose
The Boston Bruins opened the scoring against the Montreal Canadiens on the power play on Saturday night. Ryan Spooner fed the puck to Patrice Bergeron who fired a rocket on net which was deflected behind Mike Condon just 1:50 into the game. The Bruins have had an edge on every other team in the NHL on the power play, scoring at least one power play game in six consecutive games and 10 of their 13 games so far this season. The Bruins are getting a taste of the offensive side of the game consistently this season, and their power play is clicking for the first time in years. The Bruins went one-for-four on the power play for the night, but generated decent offense on all three other opportunities. Ultimately, it was their penalty kill once again that killed them in the end as two of the three goals scored on Gustavsson were scored with the man-advantage for the Habs.
“Right now, we’re finding ways to lose.” – Claude Julien
Franchise goaltender Carey Price was still sidelined due to injury on Saturday which led to Massachusetts native Mike Condon drawing the start for the Canadiens after starting the season with a 5-0-1 record. Clearly Condon has been able to keep the ship afloat for the Canadiens, as he led the Canadiens to their 4-2 win. On the other side of the ice, Tuukka Rask was given the night off ahead of the Bruins game on Sunday versus the Islanders, and Jonas Gustavsson was given the start. After a few “monster” saves in the first period, it was clear that nerves weren’t going to be an issue for the man they call the “Monster” during the heated rivalry between Boston and Montreal. Unfortunately for Gustavsson and the Bruins, David Krejci played his worst game of the season and took all five of the Bruins penalties; two of which resulted in goals, the most crucial of which ended up being the game winner with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
One positive on the night, if anything, was Frank Vatrano.
Rookie and Massachusetts native Frank Vatrano started the game firing two shots on goals on his first shift. After scoring 10 goals in his first 10 AHL games, Vatrano continued his trend in the NHL having scored one goal in his first NHL game. The young forward was set to lineup alongside Ryan Spooner and Jimmy Hayes on the Bruins third line, with Matt Beleskey skating alongside David Krejci and Loui Eriksson. After one shift with Krejci and Eriksson, Matt Beleskey was returned to the Ryan Spooner line and all of Vatrano’s shifts all came alongside Krejci and Eriksson. Vatrano showed that he has what it takes to shoot the puck on net as consistently at the NHL level as he has at the AHL and collegiate level, and that bodes well for the Bruins who could always use shoot-first players in their lineup.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports