Boston Bruins Week 20: The Disaster in Vancouver Edition

The Boston Bruins haven’t had many terrible games this year, and over the course of an 82 game season, they’re bound to happen.

Nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody, could have seen what was going to happen on Saturday night in British Columbia. The lowly Vancouver Canucks battered the Boston Bruins, and the game was barely competitive. Now, it is just one game, but it was an ugly game to stay up late and watch. Let’s see how they’ll rebound, because that’s the sign of a good team.

More importantly however, we are 20 weeks into the season, and the Bruins are arguably the best team in the NHL. It has been an incredible season so far, with so many pleasant surprises. Whether it is the strong play of the rookies, the career year for Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara’s best season in years, the possible Vezina play of Tuukka Rask, and a reliable backup goalie which has been a huge problem in the past years. The year started with fans wondering how they’ll build off of last season’s playoff berth, and now we could be talking Stanley Cup potential. What a crazy season we’ve had.

But on to the Roundup, the Bruins only had 2 games this week, both against Pacific Division foes, one at home and one on the road. It was a decent week, with a good performance against Calgary, but then the previously mentioned disaster in Vancouver.

Game 1: Calgary Flames

After a crazy, chaotic win against the Devils, the Bruins returned home to play the Calgary Flames. The Bruins came out buzzing as just 28 seconds into the game, Riley Nash found the back of the net to hand the Bruins a very early 1-0 lead. The lead would not last long however, as the Flames would equalize in just 2 minutes. With the score tied at 1, halfway through the period, the Flames would score again to take a 2-1 lead. The period would end with the same score and Calgary would take the lead into the locker room.

BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 13: Riley Nash /

Heading into the second period the Bruins were searching for the the tying goal, but that would not come until late in the frame. Charlie McAvoy would steal the puck at the red line, skate around one Flames defenseman, find an open Tim Schaller who would send it down to Riley Nash who then slotted the puck past the Flames netminder to tie the game at 2. That was Nash’s second goal of the game and we would be tied 2-2 at the end of 2.

Both teams came out for the final period desperately playing for 2 points, the Bruins chasing the Atlantic Division crown and possibly the Presidents’ Trophy, while the Flames are battling for a playoff spot out West. It would be the Bruins who would take control. One minute into the period, a great pass sent away Patrice Bergeron who sniped one on the PP to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead.

Later in the period, it was Bergeron again as he tipped in a Brad Marchand shot to extend Boston’s lead to 4-2. Late in the game the Flames would pull the goalie in an attempted comeback bid, but Zdeno Chara would heave one from deep in his own defensive zone to ice the game. Bruins extinguish Flames 5-2.

Full recap here.

Game 2: Vancouver Canucks

Now riding a modest 2 game winning streak, the Bruins had 3 days off before their game against the Canucks in Vancouver. I can sum this game up with one word: DISASTER. Nobody and I mean nobody played well Saturday night. The Canucks scored not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4, yes 4 times in just the 1st period.

VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 17: Sean Kuraly /

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The first two goals resulted from Bruins defensive breakdowns, the first goal was scored by old friend Loui Eriksson, and that was followed by a goal from Daniel Sedin. Things wouldn’t get better as minutes after Sedin’s goal, Bo Horvat got around McAvoy and sniped one past Rask. Before the period ended, Rask kicked out a rebound and was inadvertently knocked in by Noel Acciari. The goal was credited to Sven Baertschi.

Entering the second, Khudobin came in for Rask and the game was all but over. A couple minutes into the period, Vancouver added a fifth goal. Nic Dowd buried a rebound to give the Canucks a 5-0. At that point with a 10:00 puck drop, and the Bruins down 5-0, everyone turned the game off and who can blame ya. The rest of the period with the hosts up by 5 and I bet some were asking if they even needed to play the final 20 minutes…running clock maybe? It was already close to midnight on the east coast.

They did in fact play the 3rd period and what do ya know the Bruins actually scored, so no shutout! Tim Schaller would laser a Torey Krug pass into the net to cut the Canucks lead to 5-1. The Canucks would finish off the 6 pack as one of my favorite former Bruins Loui Eriksson would score his second goal of the contest, this time shorthanded.

Another brutal turnover in the defensive zone, lead to Eriksson slipping one past Khudobin to extend the lead back to 5 goals. Thankfully, the game would end, and the Bruins can get the hell out of Vancouver. Bruins get smashed 6-1 in easily the worst game of the season.

Full recap here.

The Road Ahead

Monday at Calgary

Tuesday at Edmonton

Saturday at Toronto

Sunday at Buffalo

Next: Boston Bruins defenseman is completely underrated

Predictions

Aside from a disappointing result against Buffalo, and the absolute pumping by the Canucks, the Bruins have a had a strong February. The Bruins play 4 times this week, all on the road. I believe they will rebound with another strong week. I can see the Bruins going 2-1-1 this week dropping one point in the Alberta back to back, probably to the Oilers. Then on Saturday I think the Bruins will lose to the Maple Leafs in a high contested game.

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