Boston Bruins: 3 takeaways from 4-3 overtime loss to the Capitals
The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals faced off for the first time of eight this season last night. This was also the first of a two-game series between these two teams.
While Boston controlled play most of the game, they saw themselves lose 4-3 in overtime. The B’s haven’t had much luck against Washington lately, and this game was no different.
The Black and Gold dominated the first period. They were up 34-13 in shot attempts but were down 1-0 in the goal department. The second period was much of the same story as Boston trailed 3-1 going into the third.
In the third period, the B’s finally got some luck as they were able to tie the game, including a late goal with the goalie pulled. However, they only received a point as a returning Alex Ovechkin called game and won it for the Caps less than a minute into overtime.
3. Karson Kuhlman shouldn’t be playing in the Boston Bruins’ top-six.
Last night Karson Kuhlman made his season debut due to Jack Studnicka and Ondrej Kase being out with injuries. Surprisingly, Kuhlman played on the second line.
However, this didn’t last the entire game as Kuhlman was ultimately benched for a horrid turnover and Craig Smith ended up double shifting for the second and third lines.
Kuhlman brought basically nothing to the second line last night. He was practically invisible, aside from the turnover, and so was his line. I think it’s quite obvious Kuhlman isn’t a top-six forward and should only be playing on the third or fourth line if he’s in the lineup at all.
However, I think head coach Bruce Cassidy decided to play Kuhlman on the second line because he didn’t want to break up the third line of Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle, and Craig Smith again.
This thought process makes sense as this this has been the team’s best so far this season, but I would’ve rather seen Smith or Coyle on the second line over Kuhlman.
2. Tuukka Rask had an off night for the Boston Bruins.
Now I’m not saying Tuukka Rask has been the best goalie in the league so far this season, because he’s actually been subpar. However, he’s been able to make the easy saves and some pretty tough ones.
But for some reason, last night Rask seemed off. He let in a soft goal or two and was sniped twice from the top of the circles. The first time being from Nicklas Backstrom and the second time by Ovechkin.
I’m not saying that all four goals were completely Rask’s fault, because they weren’t, but he usually makes these saves.
When I say Rask seemed off, I mean he didn’t seem comfortable and wasn’t playing as aggressive as he normally does. However, the defense didn’t help him too much.
For the snipes by Backstrom and Ovechkin, the defense failed to step up and make things difficult for either of them, they just let them both skate into the zone. However, this is a save Rask usually and should make.
Another goal, the defense was screening Rask, making it difficult for Rask to see and track the puck. Rask actually seemed like he didn’t see the puck at all.
So, although Rask had an off night, it wasn’t completely his fault as the defense also had its moments last night.
1. David Pastrnak is back for the Boston Bruins, but has a bit of rust to shake off.
The biggest storyline of last night had to be the return of star right wing David Pastrnak.
Pasta missed the first two weeks of the season because he was still recovering from offseason surgeries. Last night he returned, and two weeks ahead of schedule.
While Pastrnak looked good — he was skating well and shot the puck quite a lot (five shots on goal) — you could tell he’ll need a few games to shake off some rust he built up over his time off,
As I just said, Pastrnak was skating well and he was creating chances by being in the right place at the right time and through all the shots he took. However, he wasn’t able to finish any of these chances.
At one point Pasta received a cross-crease pass but missed the net on a one-timer. This is a pass Pastrnak usually buries, but this time he was just off.
Next. Boston Bruins: 3 Studs Against the Capitals. dark
I think right now Pastrnak’s brain is up to speed, but his body isn’t. He knows what he wants to do and where he wants to shoot the puck, but his body just isn’t there yet. I would give Pasta another game or two for his body to get back up to speed and for him to start burying some pucks in the net.