BSJ Game Report: Rangers 4, Bruins 2 -- Another poor start

Everything you need to know from the Bruins' loss to the Rangers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

HEADLINES

Wakey, wakey: Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has discussed at length the importance of getting off to a better start, especially on the road. However, Boston stumbled again in the first period and the Rangers jumped out to a 3-1 lead. The Bruins played better in the second and really put on a push in the third, but it was too late and they couldn't recover from the first 20 minutes.

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"It's the start again," Cassidy said. "We put ourselves in a bad spot and in this league, it's tough to come back. We've had a couple of moral victories and it showed that we do have some character and we're willing to fight to the last whistle, we just got to learn quickly here not to keep putting ourselves behind the eight ball. Teams are too good and they're going to close out games."

Cassidy discussed the fact that the inexperienced group of younger players is used to being "initiators" at the NHL level. This isn't the AHL and waiting around to feel out an opponent doesn't work here. If there's a positive to take out of this is the fact that these same players do eventually play with a sense of desperation but it's usually too late.

"That's great and we want to see that urgency level. We just want to see it at 7 o'clock when the puck drops, not when we're behind a couple," Cassidy said. "That's the message we're trying to get through -- trust me. Hopefully, it sinks in Friday because we have another tough building to go into."

Need more off the rush: When asked if he wants to see more of this, Cassidy simply said: "Yes." The issue is the depleted lineup (not making excuses) isn't conducive to this style of play. Because of that, there are limitations for asking those straight-line players to do more on the rush. "I'm not sure they're ready yet at this level," Cassidy said. "If it's there we'll certainly take it, but we've had success managing the puck well through there and we don't want to ask guys to force plays. It's an area of the improvement we can look at."

ONE UP

No. 37: Everyone in the hockey world understands that Patrice Bergeron plays a 200-foot game every single night. He never takes a shift off and expects those around him to do the same. He was clearly frustrated against the Rangers and increased his compete level (if that's even possible) to send a message to those passengers.

"He was dialed in," Cassidy said. "He wanted to bring a little extra. He knows what we are and we're going to rely on him for a little more than we normally do, which is a lot. He wanted to get it done and he was frustrated with himself after he didn't get it up and over (Henrik) Lundqvist, who made a great save, but (Bergeron) got the next one. . . Our veteran guys wanted to get it done, wanted to get points and they pushed to the end."

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Bergeron logged 20:39 of ice time on 28 shifts. He played a little more physical than he normally does and others did take notice. To keep that pace of play could take a toll on a player but the Bruins need the most out of the veterans players right now.

"It helps because they're our best players," Cassidy said. "The veteran guys, we need them to come through for us and be the leaders and hopefully the rest follow. They're doing their part and the rest have to follow along. The first part of the game we had some passengers and we're not in a position, as a hockey club, to have a lot of success. We're not going to win on a regular basis if we have passengers. We don't need young guys to come in here and lead this club, we just need them to do their job and early one there were some guys that weren't where they needed to be."

ONE DOWN

Power-less play: At the start of the season, special teams were supposed to be a strength for the Bruins. Losing key components to the power play and penalty-killing units doesn't help, but again, that's not an excuse to go 0-for-6 on the man-advantage, especially if you lose by one-, or two-goal deficits. Boston's without David Backes, who brings size and strength in front of the net. Not having Ryan Spooner on the half wall doesn't help either, or David Krejci, the playmaking centerman who has the ability to quarterback a PP. But, going 0-fer is unacceptable.

"Our guys were frustrated they couldn't get it to go in," Cassidy said. "Not scoring is frustrating but you keep pushing and I thought we did a good job of keep pushing, but we needed one on the special teams, certainly would've helped."

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TURNING POINT

When the Rangers scored a pair of goals in a span of 29 seconds late in the first period it didn't bode well for the Bruins. Not that it matters which player on the opposing team scores, but when it's Boston native and former Harvard standout Jimmy Vesey registering both quick tallies it makes it even worse. He scored both goals by crashing the net and winning the battles in front of Tuukka Rask.

CHIRPIN’ POINT

It's time for the rookies to bring it: The Bruins are 14 games into the season and there hasn't been one consistent effort from any of the rookies in the lineup. I understand the transition to this level is a process and there's a learning curve. However, given the health status of the Bruins and all the injuries the team is dealing with, there's been plenty of opportunities for these younger players to step up. We've seen bits and pieces but there needs to be a better overall effort from the rookie core. I will say this: of all the injured players the Bruins desperately need Adam McQuaid and Noel Acciari back in the lineup. It appears that Acciari could return against the Maple Leafs on Friday in Toronto. And, knowing that he's close, one would think the players on the bubble to become healthy scratches when he returns would have given a better effort on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Road trip continues: The Bruins travel to Toronto and will face the Maple Leafs on Friday night at Air Canada Centre for the first game of a home-and-home.