Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand’s careless plays costly in Game 2 loss

The Boston Bruins have lost Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues and they deserved it. One of the reasons for the Bruins loss was a distinctly average display from their top line, especially Brad Marchand.

It’s not what the Boston Bruins hoped for – it’s not going to be a 2-0 advantage for Boston heading to St. Louis for two games. Game 2 had a different script compared to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final; the Bruins in Game 1 gave up two goals to fall in the hole early, but they recovered and played some of their best hockey of the season. In Game 2, it all started nicely, but then Brad Marchand‘s careless plays sparked the Blues rejuvenation, among other errors.

This loss cannot be solely put on one guy, but just take a look at Brad Marchand’s play on the second Blues goal of the night scored by Vladimir Tarasenko.

This time around, the Bruins drew first blood and got the lead. Unfortunately for them, Robert Bortuzzo tied the game up with the help from Matt Grzelcyk.

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Definitely a tough day for Grzelcyk, who firstly redirected the seemingly innocent shot into his own net and then ended up in the hospital with a concussion after a hard drill to the boards by Oskar Sundqvist. However, the Bruins responded immediately and retook the lead thanks to another goal scored by the fourth line.

With a 2-1 lead, the Boston Bruins continued to pile up the shots and chances in the Blues defensive zone, until they made a mistake and later Tarasenko scored off a third opportunity left in front of Tuukka Rask.

In Game 1, David Pastrnak made a silly turnover to Brayden Schenn, who easily found Tarasenko and he cashed in. The Bruins have been warned after that Game 1, they cannot afford to make any further mistakes and reckless turnovers.

Earlier in the game, Brad Marchand had made some careless plays already. But here it was a blunder, that was a disaster defensively. The Boston Bruins lost possession in the offensive zone with Charlie McAvoy pinching, leaving Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand on the point. No problem there, as the Blues had ‘just’ two men on the rush, Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz.

Brad Marchand’s job was to face Schwartz and Chara would cover Tarasenko. But no, Marchand, inexplicably, went to take the puck away from Tarasenko, without any success. That left Schwartz wide open. Chara decided to make a late switch to try to defend Schwartz, who was already wide open and the captain’s effort wasn’t enough to deprive him of the scoring oppurtunity.

Schwartz took the shot, but it was rather an easy stop from Rask, who left the rebound up for grabs. That happens when it’s a hard and low shot to the goalie’s pads.

So who was the one to pick it up for the Blues? Tarasenko, who carried the puck initially.

Who was supposed to cover him? Brad Marchand.

Where was he? Nowhere near Tarasenko.

The Russian sniper had the first shot and then the rebound as Rask was left without any help because Chara made the late switch to defend Schwartz as he thought Brad Marchand was, once again, inexplicably, after Tarasenko.

You cannot blame Marchand for not being a defenseman, but if he stayed in his initial position to face the 2-on-2, the play might have not resulted in the Blues goal.

It wasn’t just about one bad play, which was very costly, Brad Marchand’s careless plays continued all the way in the remainder of Game 2. He was on his heels all night long. At even strength, Marchand’s CF% at 45 and his xGF% at 35.38. At even strength, Marchand was on the ice for just nine shot attempts, same as Patrice Bergeron, his faithful linemate.

Nine shot attempts in an overtime Stanley Cup Final game at home from your top line and Brad Marchand?

It wasn’t entirely about one bad defensive mistake, it wasn’t good enough from Brad Marchand and the Boston Bruins top-six forwards overall. They know that they have to bring in a much better effort in St. Louis.

Now the Boston Bruins have to win at least one game on the road. Buckle up!