Prior to the Boston Bruins‘ 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at the TD Garden Thursday night, there were three questions facing the Black and Gold as they looked to get back in the win column after a five-day break since their 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders Saturday night.
Unfortunatly for the Bruins, the answers to the questions were not what they would have liked. Let’s take a look back at the questions from yesterday and answer them.
1. How will the Bruins’ new-look lines fare?
Not good. To be fair, the new-looking lines last only one period as David Krejci exited the game after just seven shifts and just over six minutes of ice-time with a lower-body injury.
David Krejci (lower body) will not return to tonight's game. #NHLBruins
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 19, 2021
Moving Jake DeBrusk with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron to the top-line and sliding David Pastrnak with Krejci and Nick Ritchie failed to have many positive results. Fourth-liner Anders Bjork was the Bruins most energetic forward, which tells you how the night went.
There is a possibility that Krejci misses time because of his injury, which means more shuffling of the lines is in the works for coach Bruce Cassidy. Does Trent Frederic move to center from his wing position or does Jack Studnicka get called up from Providence? Time will tell.
2. Are the Devils just what the Bruins’ power play needs to get going?
Hopefully, yes. The Bruins vaunted power play entered Thursday’s game scoreless in their last 11 chances dating back to Feb. 3. They scored both of their goals on the man advantage.
DeBrusk scored his first goal of the season on the power play in the second period, while Charlie McAvoy tipped home a Pastrnak shot from the point with just over a minute left in the game. Boston only had three chances, but scoring twice can hopefully get the unit going. Heading out on a four-game road trip, the power play could be a big part of the trip and any success the Bruins are going to have.
3. Can the Bruins solve Mackenzie Blackwood?
For the third time this season, the simple answer is no. Yes, they do have a win over him in the season opener in a shootout, but for the most part, the Devils’ goaltender has the Bruins number early in the 2021 season.
After Thursday’s game, Blackwood has stopped 87 of the 92 shots fired at him by the Black and Gold in three games. He has given up four power play goals, one shorthanded, and shutout the Bruins’ even-strength.
Thursday night, Boston had 27 shots on the net and you could count on one hand how many “tough” saves Blackwood had to make. His defense cleared most of the rebounds he left and his best save was stopping Pastrnak in the final seconds with a shoulder save to secure the regulation victory.
Blackwood is 4-0-1 this season with a 1.94 goals-against average (GAA) and a .945 save percentage (SV%). He is a big reason why the Devils are 6-3-2 and winners of two straight following their 15-day COVID-19 pause.