If there is one thing that we have learned about the Boston Bruins this season, it is that they are one of the best teams in the NHL that plays down to their opponents' level. It happened again on Thursday in South Florida against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
They dug themselves into an early hole, and unlike Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets when they fell behind 3-0 in the first period and rallied for a 4-3 shootout win, they couldn't do it against a team missing 11 regular players to injuries. Instead, despite a Fraser Minten goal late in the first, they had their four-game winning streak snapped. Here are four takeaways from a disappointing loss to Florida.
Slow start haunts Bruins again
Stop me if you've heard this before. The Boston Bruins got off to a slow start on the road and dug themselves into an early two-goal deficit. I know, you're surprised that this could happen again, but it has been a theme a lot this season.
A Henri Jokiharju turnover early in the game in the defensive zone ended up in the back of the Boston net, then a deflected puck found Sam Bennett's stick, who scored his 26th of the season, and just like that, less than eight minutes in, the Black and Gold are chasing two goals against a shorthanded team. They need to kick this narrative quickly with the next three games on the road over the next six days.
Morgan Geekie still can't buy a goal
It was another game without Morgan Geekie finding the back of the net. Boston's leading goal scorer had his opportunities in the game, and he had a golden opportunity in the third period that Bobrovsky robbed him of in front of the net.
Geekie went through a samaliar drought earlier this year, and he scored what seemed like a meaningless power play goal down 6-0 to the Dallas Stars in January, but it got him going again. It feels like he needs a goal, whether it's an empty-net or something to get himself going again.
Sergei Bobrovsky frustrated the Bruins
Chasing a goal in the NHL is never easy or a recipe for success. It's very hard against a two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie. The Bruins had a lot of chances in the third period, but Bobrovsky was up to the challenge. He made some incredible saves and the Bruins missed the net on some golden chances.
Boston's best chances came from in close and Viktor Arvidsson hit the post when he beat Bobrovsky blocker side. Pavel Zacha had a shot from the slot sail just past the open right side of the goal. The Bruins were credited with 15 shots on the net in the final period.
Not a great start to the road trip
This was supposed to be the game where the Bruins picked up points on this road trip, but another slow start cost them. Let that be a lesson, although it should already be a lesson 75 games into the season.
Up next is a late. Saturday afternoon tilt with the Tampa Bay Lightning, before an Easter Sunday afternoon showdown against the Flyers in Philadelphia. After three full days off, the Black and Gold will close out the trip next Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Clinching a postseason berth, given teams gained on them tonight, is given with the upcoming brutal road schedule. If they don't get better starts in those games, then making the playoffs might not be as much of a given as it might appear right now.