Consistence has avoided Boston Bruins almost all season, but a Monday visit from Buffalo Sabers offers a quick turn from perhaps a new low point.
On the way to a 6-2 Saturday loss to the Atlantic Division’s Rival Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bruin’s three passed for the following goals while he was held without a shot during a catastrophic second period where interim coach Joe Sacco said “much” went wrong, from visitors’ print to defensive cases and turnover.
“It was embarrassing,” Boston said forward Elias Lindholm. “The competing level was nowhere to find.
The overall show was not much better, and Boston will need to be improved before he started on a five-match road trip starting in Vegas on Thursday.
After Andrew Peeke took back the Bruins even 1-1 late in the first, Marat Khusnutdinov scored the opening goal for the third and his second goal in so many matches to make it 4-2. But the Bruins finished with only four shots in the third and a season-low 12 for the game.
“You can’t play just a good period a game and win,” Bruins said forward Pavel Zacha. “It’s something we have to learn from. We had to play better, especially at home for our fans. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Strong exhibitions immediately followed the trade deadline earlier this month, but both Saturday and the previous 6-3 road loss Thursday to the Ottawa senators have left something to be desired.
“We need a better show,” Sacco said. “We have to be able to dig in more and answer from a game that we are obviously not happy with. … We have players who still get used to how we play and what not, but it doesn’t matter.”
While Boston still has a Slim Playoff Chance, which sits four points below the Wild-Card clip line, Buffalo sits in Dead Last, six points under all other teams in the Eastern Conference. The sabers can still look to build on a 4-3 victory over Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
The sabers had to overcome 2-0 and 3-2 deficits, but holding a 37-19 shot advantage and winning 48 of 67 Faceoffs helped them to a second victory over a playoffs justified team in three matches. They also beat Edmonton Oilers 3-2 last Monday.
“We did many good things and started by handling the puck throughout the game,” said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff. “Still made a couple of big mistakes with the puck, but 90 percent of it gives you a chance to beat a good team.”
Captain Rasmus Dahlin scored the goal for the last minute of the regulation, and reconciled to a turnover that had made it possible for Jack Eichel to put Vegas in front with 2:33 to go.
In the end, the answer was most important.
“We try to focus on how we want to end the season as a team and build our group,” Buffalo said forward Jason Zucker. “I think this is a good step. Especially after (Wednesday) game in Detroit I thought this was a good answer, and now we have to follow it up.”
The latest driving has made a difference in the team’s psyche.
“It’s another vibe right now,” Dahlin said. “Guys got up, are really good leaders and guys want to be here. We want to make a difference.”
Sabers forward Jiri Kulich (upper body) took a hit from Vegas’ Brett Howden in Saturday’s second period and did not return.
“(Sunday) will be the story, but overall he can do pretty well,” Ruff said of Kulich’s status after the game.
Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka each had a hat trick and an assist in Saber’s 7-2 home victory over Bruins on January 28.
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