Boston Bruins week 5 roundup: Need a winning streak edition

Week 5 for the Boston Bruins went…well…basically about how every other week has gone. Inconsistent play has been a recurring theme this season for the Bruins, and it doesn’t appear to be getting any better.

After compiling 3 out of 4 points against two tough California teams, the Boston Bruins went out to Columbus for a quick one game roadie. The team then headed back to Boston to to welcome Vegas and Washington to town. How did it go, you may ask? Well it wasn’t great.

After going down early to Columbus, they battled and clawed back to force OT, but eventually lost in a shootout. Returning home, they squeaked out a win against Vegas, before falling to the Caps on Saturday night, finishing the week at 1-1-1.

The Bruins have now played 12 games this year, and still have yet to win 2 games in a row. I am panicking a bit right now because even though it is still early in the season and the numerous injuries the team has dealt with, the Bruins haven’t strung together great (or even good) performances in back to back games. The only exception would be the San Jose and Los Angeles games which was their best chance to get a winning streak going.

Hopefully, with 4 games coming up this week, they can get their first winning streak of the year. Now let’s dive in to the week prior, and see what ailed this team.

Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets

Looking to rebound from their last second OT loss against the Kings, the Bruins visited the Buckeye State and faced off against a very good Columbus Blue Jackets team. In what seems to be a concerning trend in most road games, the Bruins game out flat and were outplayed from puck drop.

The Bruins went down 1-0 just 2 minutes into the game as David Savard got one past Rask for an early lead. The period did not get much better from there, as Boone Jenner doubled their lead late in the 1st. The Bruins were down 2-0 heading to the intermission.

For much of the 2nd period, it was the same story. Columbus scored again making 3-0 Jackets, with Tyler Motte scoring the goal. With almost all hope lost, Patrice Bergeron knocked one in on the power play with around 5 minutes left in the period, cutting the deficit to 2 goals.

COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 30: Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky /

In the third, the Bruins were looking for a furious comeback to at least try to earn a point out of the game. That is exactly what they got. Halfway through the period, Torey Krug scored his second goal of the season, getting one past Bobrovsky and making it a one goal game. One minute later, Brad Marchand scored on the power play, tying the game at 3. This is just what the B’s needed. After a huge save by Rask who stoned Artemi Panarin on a breakaway, the 3rd period ended and they were headed to OT.

Once the 5 minutes were up and nobody scored, it was time for the shootout. The Jackets went first and Alexander Wennberg was shut down by Rask. For the Bruins it was Kenny Agostino up first, he was stoned as well. Panarin was up next and scored, followed by Marchand who’s bid was saved by Bobrovsky. Oliver Bjorkstrand went next and scored, sealing the Jackets victory, and the giant cannon fired in celebration.

Full Recap here.

Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights

More from Causeway Crowd

Back in Boston, the Bruins hosted the Golden Knights, looking to avenge their loss back in Sin City a few weeks ago. In a physical first period, the Bruins started well, but took some penalties late in the period. Fortunately they killed them off as the horn sounded to end the period 0-0.

Early in the second the Bruins won an offensive zone draw, which resulted in the first goal of the game courtesy of Riley Nash, giving the B’s a 1-0. That would not last long. After a Jake DeBrusk turnover, Cody Eakin one-timed the puck past Rask tying the game at 1. Both teams had some chances late in the frame, but the period came to a close with the score tied at 1.

With 10 minutes remaining the Bruins finally regained the lead with a goal from Sean Kuraly. It was a greasy goalmouth scramble rebound with Kuraly was able to bang home. The Bruins were able to finish off the rest of the game, even killing off a late Charlie McAvoy holding penalty. The Bruins win 2-1.

Full Recap here.

Game 3: Washington Capitals

Attempting to secure their winning streak on the year, the Bruins welcomed Alex Oveckhin and the Washington Capitals to TD Garden. Another first period, another Bruins slow start. The Bruins conceded the first tally, giving up a goal to Tom Wilson about midway through the period. Later in the period, Ovechkin found his trademarked spot on the ice, the left faceoff dot, and fired one past Rask for a 2-0 lead.

Trying to get back into the game, the Bruins cut the lead in half courtesy of a goal from David Pastrnak in the 2nd period. Unfortunately for the home team, sloppy play continued to plague the Bruins. Tom Wilson deflected a Brooks Orpik point shot past Rask for his second goal of the night, restoring the Caps 2 goal advantage.

In the final frame, the Bruins were searching for two goals. They had their chances on the power play, put they were unsuccessful. They even had a 4 minute man-advantage after a Brooks Orpik’s double minor high sticking penalty. They didn’t score on that one as well. Finally the B’s scored on the power play on David Pastrnak’s second goal of the night. The Bruins couldn’t get a third, however, and lost 3-2.

Full Recap here.

The Road Ahead

The Bruins play the Minnesota Wild on Monday in Boston, before heading out to MSG to play the Rangers on Wednesday. The week ends with a Friday/Saturday home and home series with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Next: Hockey gone Wild in Boston

Predictions

The Bruins have been killed by injuries this year. The latest being Brad Marchand, who will not play tonight. I see the Bruins going 1-2-1, with the only win coming Wednesday night against the Rangers. Hopefully, they get healthy soon and start racking up the wins.

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