Bruins poor defense makes them fall to Leafs
By Willy
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
This is the third meeting of four games for the Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Out: Dougie Hamilton with an undisclosed injury.
In Net: Tuukka Rask and Jonathan Bernier
The Bruins got off to a good start, with solid offensive possession time. Jarome Iginla had a great scoring opportunity when he broke in alone on Bernier but he made the quick pad save.
The B’s were able to get on the board first when Zdeno Chara kept in a Dion Phaneuf clearing attempt, then fed Patrice Bergeron who passed the puck to Reilly Smith.
Reilly got a shot off that was stopped by Bernier but the rebound went straight to Brad Marchand (11), who fired it past Bernier.
A little over two minutes later the Maple Leafs would tie the score when Gregory Campbell lost the Defensive zone draw to Tyler Bozak, who fed it over to Phil Kessel, who then passed it to Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson. The defenseman took a slap shot that Rask saved but the rebound went to Bozak who ripped it home. Kevan Miller missed his defensive assignment (Bozak) on the play.
The next B’s goal came when Zdeno Chara took a shot that missed the net but Patrice Bergeron (11) picked the puck up behind the net then quickly wrapped it around the net and in.
Once again and approximately two minutes later the Leafs would tie things up, this time on the Power Play. Tyler Bozak would notch another goal and be set up by Kessel once again.
After 1 period; 2-2 Shots: 15-7 Boston
The second period started much like the first, with the B’s being the more aggressive of the two teams.
While on a Power Play David Krejci was absolutely robbed by Bernier who made a last second blocker save.
While on the Power Play, Maple Leafs Defenseman Jake Gardiner would sneak in from the point, then rip a hard wrist shot past Rask for another Power Play goal and the lead. Assisted again by ex-Bruin; Phil Kessel.
After 2 periods; 3-2 Leafs Shots: 13-11 Toronto
The third period started with the B’s being a bit flat. Toronto would go ahead by two goals when Center Tyler Bozak set winger James Van Riemsdyk up for a wrist shot that Rask may have been partially screened on.
The Merlot line would get on the board when Danny Paille got the puck into the corner, Gregory Campbell (3) would skate it to the net, then fire a backhander past Bernier, bringing the B’s within a goal.
The B’s poured it on late but weren’t able to get the tying goal.
4-3 loss. Shot totals: 41-25 Boston
Next up for the Bruins is a Thursday night game (8:30P.M.) against the Dallas Stars in Dallas. Go B’s!