Live-Blog: Dallas Stars At Boston Bruins

Dec 23, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and center David Krejci (46) celebrate a goal during the first period against the Nashville Predators at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins welcome the second best offense in the league and a familiar face to the TD Garden tonight as the Dallas Stars and Tyler Sequin are in town. With travel bans in effect for the game tonight, the city of Boston is extending as many resources to assist fans with getting to the Garden tonight so attendance numbers could be impacted. Boston is coming off another lackluster performance against the Montreal Canadiens and is looking to bounce back as their hold on eighth place in the standings has shrunk to six.

Pre-Game Warm-Ups

Although there was questions earlier in the day as to whether or not Tyler Seguin would be in the lineup as he is reported to be suffering from the flu, Seguin commented earlier claiming “this was a game he had to play in”.

Kari Lehtonen will be in net for the Stars and will be facing Niklas Svedberg who will be getting his first start since January 8 against New Jersey.

Lines

Lucic-Krejci-Pastrnak

Marchand-Bergeron-Smith

Kelly-Soderberg-Eriksson

Paille-Campbell-Cunningham

Defensive Pairings

Chara-Hamilton

Seidenberg-McQuaid

Krug-Miller

Next: First Period Thoughts

Nov 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Chris Kelly (23) passes the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period of Boston

First Period 

The first four minutes of the first period seemed more of a feeling out process for both teams as few chances were exchanged. This all changed of course when a missed check from Adam McQuaid on Antoine Roussel in the neutral zone at about the four minute mark led to a egregious cross check from Roussel and resulted in a game misconduct and five minute power play for the Bruins.

The Bruins were able to sustain pressure for the first 40 seconds of the power play, however that was about it as a terrible mistake on a missed pass near the point from David Krejci was intercepted by Vernon Fiddler and he cashed in on the shorthanded opportunity; the first shorthanded goal the Bruins have given up all season.

Three minutes later, Milan Lucic sent a cross ice pass right in front of the net to David Pasternak who proceeded to show the poise and patience of a veteran and find David Krejci for his 7th of the year to tie up the score.

For the final thirteen minutes, we saw several errors that led to a few more tallies for the Stars. A little after the 14 minute mark, Dougie Hamilton allowed Jamie Benn to travel from right past center ice all the way to the net enabling him to go top shelf to put up the Stars 2-1.

Three minutes later the Bruins were unable to clear the puck out and Benn buried his second goal of the night in what was the culmination of several minutes of inferior play from the Bruins.

After one, the Bruins are outshooting the Stars 16-10, however find themselves down 3-1.

Takeaway From The First Period

The Boston Bruins are proving once again that they seem to have no answer when it comes to handling teams possessing a greater amount of speed than them. The five minute power play was an abomination and it seemed as if the Bruins were causing more mistakes for themselves than opportunities. If the Bruins are going to have any chance of coming back in this game, they are going to need to start setting the tempo.

Next: Second Period:Boston Bruins vs Dallas Stars

Dec 17, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Niklas Svedberg (72) makes a save during the second period against Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Bruins defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Second Period

Claude Julien made the decision to bench Niklas Svedberg and elected to have Tuukka Rask replace him to start the second period. Svedberg was subjected to some porous defense, but seven saves on ten shots was worthy of the pull.

The Boston Bruins started on the power play but it only took 26 seconds for Brad Marchand to find Patrice Bergeron on a 2 on 1 to bring the score to 3-2.

Defense took a back step for both teams as it was fast break hockey for the next several minutes; ultimately leading to a tally from Dougie Hamilton to make this game tied.

At the 13:06 mark, another questionable and egregious penalty by Dallas’ Ryan Garbutt left Dougie Hamilton with a bloodied left eye and four minute power play for the Bruins. Once again, the Bruins were unable to take advantage and instead made things harder on themselves as Trevor Daley waltzed into the Bruins offensive zone untouched and followed his own rebound to put the Stars back up 4-3.

At the 15:06 mark, Carl Soderberg was called for tripping and thus negating the final two minutes of the Bruins power play.

An icing by the Dallas Stars with a little over a minute left led to a final flurry of offensive activity, however the Bruins were unable to cash in on any of these opportunities.

After two, the Bruins are outshooting the Stars 33-23, but still find themselves down 4-3.

Mistakes Halt Bruins Momentum

After seeming to fight fire with fire, the Bruins proved up to the task for the first fourteen minutes of playing free flowing up and down hockey. Goals from Patrice Bergeron and Dougie Hamilton tied the game but once again the Bruins shot themselves in the foot when Trevor Daley was allowed to enter the offensive zone all alone with four Bruins keeping their distance and not attempting any back check. I have to imagine Claude Julien must be running out of words to say in the locker room in between periods over the last couple of nights.

Next: Third Period: Boston Bruins vs Dallas Stars