Boston Bruins: A Win Is A Win

Jan 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is congratulated by center Patrice Bergeron (37) and defenseman Torey Krug (47) after scoring a goal during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is congratulated by center Patrice Bergeron (37) and defenseman Torey Krug (47) after scoring a goal during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, the Boston Bruins welcomed forward Merlot Man Gregory Campbell back to the TD Garden tonight. The Columbus Blue Jackets came and played some moderately inconsistent hockey tonight. Regrettably, so did the Bruins. Even though the Bruins snapped off two quick goals in the second period, they caused defensive errors to cause the Blue Jackets to get back in to the game. In the end, it required a shootout to solve the matter.

More from Bruins News

Ryan Spooner and Torey Krug put in similar goals on Joonas Korpisalo to bring home the extra point for the Bruins, beating the Blue Jackets, 3-2.

Sure, these were important points for the Black and Gold. Thanks to the win, the Bruins remain just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, and six points behind the Florida Panthers. Thanks to tonight’s win, the Bruins remain three points ahead of the Canadiens, and all Bruins fans can be happy with that.

The Bruins could have played a dynamic game that helped remind the fans that they can be a serious threat among Atlantic Division teams. That didn’t happen tonight. The Bruins seemed to run hot and cold during their sixty-five minutes of play tonight. While the Bruins got goals from Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, the complete game wasn’t there from either player. The Bruins also gave up the puck a few too many times tonight, and that gave Columbus the opportunity to play themselves back into the game.

Tonight, it seemed like all the same culprits were on the ice. Jimmy Hayes, Matt Beleskey, Dennis Seidenberg, and Joe Morrow were all -2 in tonight’s game. Morrow’s turnover led to the tying goal by Columbus. Jonas Gustavsson gave up a soft goal earlier in the period, but he played well enough to cover most of the Bruins defensive lapses.

It could have gone worse, the Bruins could have given up the ghost in the third period (again). The Bruins showed flashes of brilliance tonight, and that’s a good thing. A win is a win. It’s just frustrating that the Bruins, who can beat the best teams in the league often seem to fall short when taking on some of the sub-standard ones.