Boston Bruins Game 4: Do or Die Time at TD Garden
Well this series was turned on its head wasn’t it? The Boston Bruins looked fantastic in Game 1 but have spluttered and surrendered the last two games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The post-season is never easy in the NHL. To win the Stanley Cup players add on a gruelling six weeks onto their already overloaded schedule. The Boston Bruins are at risk of ending their journey before the Conference Finals if they continue their abject form.
Lack of Depth
The Boston Bruins were notorious in the latter part of the season for getting help throughout the lineup. Since the playoffs began, Boston’s bottom-six has severely struggled. The third line has been fairly shambolic in all honesty, registering zero points collectively in the opening three games with Tampa.
Riley Nash in particular has been a massive disappointment, especially for a player who played so well during the regular season.
Shocking Officiating
The officiating in the NHL can be questionable at times but this series takes the biscuit. This is by no means a copout for how badly the Bruins have performed. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning have not been called for nearly enough penalties throughout the series.
The face-offs have been an utter scandal to date. The Boston Bruins have been plopped on the back foot in both offensive and defensive situations which has lead to goals, there’s no two ways about it. Just drop the puck guys, these stoppages and dismissals are slowing everything down.
Ryan Donato
The rookie jumps back into the lineup and onto the third line this evening. A huge chance for him to cement a starting spot and to get on the scoreboard. The Bruins need scoring from down the lines and Donato can provide that edge.
Lines
Brad Marchand–Patrice Bergeron–David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci–Rick Nash
Ryan Donato-Riley Nash-David Backes
Tommy Wingels–Sean Kuraly–Noel Acciari
Next: Playoff Officiating Has Been Woeful
Rask
Khudobin