So, I started writing my blog post about game 6 towards the end of the second period last night. Being the superstitious sports fan that I am, I was trying to change the Bruins luck by posting about how poorly they were playing in hopes of an unlikely 3rd period comeback. Well, clearly that didn't work.
After playing their best second round game on Saturday, the Bruins played quite possibly the sloppiest game of the season. Even if I use my thumbs, I still don't have enough fingers to point out all the places the things that went wrong. Obviously, Kevan Miller's assist on the first goal of the game ranks right up there. Especially since the team who scores first has won all of the games this series. It's almost like the Bruins believed that they were destined to lose once that happened.
Now, the second goal, that was probably worse than the first since it was bad judgment/effort all around. First, after not scoring, the Bruins looked like they were stuck in the mud while Pacioretty went streaking down the ice. Then instead of trying to make a play and maybe getting called for a smart penalty, Chara plays ole defense. Rask's decision to not do anything just made it a complete comedy of errors, only the Canadiens were the only ones laughing.
Now the third goal, that was a bit of bad luck for the Bruins, good luck for the Canadiens and being in the right place at the right time for Vanek. While Pacioretty's fancy footwork led to the goal, the fact that he didn't end up kicking the puck into the net was pretty fortuitous.
In the end, the Canadiens played smarter and harder than the Bruins for all but maybe 2 minutes. Heading home the Bruins need better play from everyone especially the veterans. If you look at the number of giveaways and takeaways during the 3 losses, you'll see some highly decorated players being all too generous with the puck. Of the 31 giveaways during the 3 losses, Krejci, Chara, Bergeron and Lucic have combined for 16. Obviously they get a lot more ice time than most of the other players, so the data may be a little skewed. However, that extra ice time should also give them the opportunity for more takeaways. Well, during the 3 losses the Bruins have only had 10 takeaways. With minimal playing time both Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton have 2 a piece.
In my opinion Claude Julien also needs to step up his game. With the Bruins not getting much offense from Lucic and Krejci, he needs to be limiting their ice time during power plays. This is not the time to worry about getting someone going.
Now the third goal, that was a bit of bad luck for the Bruins, good luck for the Canadiens and being in the right place at the right time for Vanek. While Pacioretty's fancy footwork led to the goal, the fact that he didn't end up kicking the puck into the net was pretty fortuitous.
In the end, the Canadiens played smarter and harder than the Bruins for all but maybe 2 minutes. Heading home the Bruins need better play from everyone especially the veterans. If you look at the number of giveaways and takeaways during the 3 losses, you'll see some highly decorated players being all too generous with the puck. Of the 31 giveaways during the 3 losses, Krejci, Chara, Bergeron and Lucic have combined for 16. Obviously they get a lot more ice time than most of the other players, so the data may be a little skewed. However, that extra ice time should also give them the opportunity for more takeaways. Well, during the 3 losses the Bruins have only had 10 takeaways. With minimal playing time both Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton have 2 a piece.
In my opinion Claude Julien also needs to step up his game. With the Bruins not getting much offense from Lucic and Krejci, he needs to be limiting their ice time during power plays. This is not the time to worry about getting someone going.
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