After winning eight of their first nine games at the TD Garden this season, the Boston Bruins got an early-season test when they hosted the Montreal Canadiens, who entered the game 7-0-3 in their last 10 games. It was going to be a good test for the 13-4-1 Bruins against a team that many feel is the best in the Atlantic Division.
After saying all the right things leading into the game, the Bruins did the wrong thing from the drop of the puck; they allowed Montreal to play their game and build an early lead on their way to a statement win. Here are three takeaways from a disappointing Boston loss.
Canadiens send early first-period statement message
It was going to be pivotal for the Bruins to get off to a good start against the Canadiens, as they did on Sunday afternoon in their 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. Three early goals set the tone and sent a statement by the Black and Gold. Thursday night, the Canadiens reversed the roles.
They scored two goals in the first 10 minutes of the game and never really looked back. Kirby Dach opened the scoring with a wraparound goal, and then Josh Anderson poked home a puck at the top of the slot to double the lead. The Canadiens kept it simple, pucks and bodies to the net without getting fancy, and pucks went into the net. Go figure.
Canadiens chase Jeremy Swayman midway through the second period
It was a great goalie matchup on paper between Jeremy Swayman and Jacob Fowler. Paper doesn't always mean you're going to get what you think you are. Montreal took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, and then they chased him with two more goals midway through the second period.
After beginning the second period with a flurry on Montreal, things quickly went south. Jake Evans made it 3-0 on a breakaway after beating Swayman between the legs, then Cole Caufield scored his 11th goal in 12 games against Swayman on, you guessed it, a breakaway. Head coach Marco Sturm got Swayman out in favor of Michael DiPietro, more of a move to likely get the netminder ready for Saturday night's game than anything else.
Bruins get a wake-up call from the Canadiens
Well, you knew that the Bruins were due for a stinker on home ice, their first one since a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators early last month. Things had gone well for the Black and Gold since that game, aside from a tough two-game road trip against the Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, but Thursday night was a reminder that they are still a ways away from competing with Montreal. They will get three more chances at their heated rivals, but the first one was one they need to forget and turn the page.
The Bruins will look to bounce back on Saturday night when the Minnesota Wild visit the TD Garden in what is a home-heavy month of November for the Black and Gold.
Add us as a preferred source on Google