Bruins
Boston looked formidable after 20 minutes, before a disastrous second frame helped seal its fate.
The Bruins had a surprisingly strong first two games following a trade deadline that overhauled their lineup.
But Thursday’s loss to the Senators was a reality check for Boston, and Saturday night showed even more weakness for a lineup decimated by injuries and trade-aways.
All things considered, the Bruins’ first period against the Lightning seemed like a rebound. Boston allowed an early goal to Tampa Bay, but unlike Thursday night, the team responded quickly and ended the frame an even 1-1.
The second period though, was a disaster.
The Bruins failed to record a single shot on goal in those 20 minutes, and surrendered three goals to the Lightning over that time. Jeremy Swayman made key saves to lessen the blow, but Boston still found itself in a steep uphill battle due to its offensive woes.
“They were just a better team tonight from start to finish,” Bruins coach Joe Sacco said postgame. “We obviously have to clean up a few things from this game tonight. … And then we have to move forward.”
Fans at TD Garden weren’t pleased at how the period went, and rained boos down on the ice as the Bruins trotted to the locker room.
Boston got one goal back in the third, but it wasn’t nearly enough to undo the damage that was already done.
“They were just quicker to pucks than we were, they won more one-on-one battles,” Sacco said. “We had a hard time executing any plays coming out of our D-zone, we had a tough time handling their pressure tonight.”
With each game the Bruins lose, their playoff odds dwindle further — they have a 4.5 percent chance to make the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.
A postseason berth was already a long shot before the trade deadline, and even more so after it. But a loss to Tampa Bay almost solidifies an earlier end to the season than Boston hoped for.
The Bruins return to TD Garden on Monday before heading west for a five-game roadtrip. Sacco hopes Boston puts a better product on the ice for its home crowd against the Sabres.
“We have one more home game here before we hit the road and we have to bring a game worthy of how we’re able to play,” Sacco said.
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