We haven't seen this type of lackluster performance from the Boston Bruins since the second game of the season. The Bruins' lack of execution in every aspect of the game was terrible and it led to a 4-2 loss to the lowly Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at TD Garden.
The score could have been a lot worse if not for goalie Tuukka Rask, who finished with 24 saves. He made more than his share of timely saves, especially in the third period to keep the Bruins within striking distance, but Boston did very little right in front of him.
The Bruins were over-passing. The defense made poor decisions and were unsuccessful keeping the puck in along the walls. Boston had too many turnovers in its own end and neutral zone. From start to finish, nothing went right.
As far as the overall rate of execution: "Certainly not very high," said coach Bruce Cassidy.
"Part of the problem is we over-pass. Then the (lack of) execution gets magnified. If you simplify it, find some open ice, get it to the net, get some second chances, then you just have to worry about hitting the net. I thought we were cute tonight. It was leading up to something, and we have creative guys, but at some point, you've got to get it to the net with traffic and we didn't do enough of that to earn our goals."
Rask was the Bruins' best player on the ice and his performance went for naught.
"It wasn't our best game," he said. "Not the way we want to play. But, those games happen."
Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' loss in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
HEADLINES
Terrible passing: We've become accustomed to highlight-reel, tape-to-tape passes by the Bruins this season. The team's ability to manage the puck and quickly advance it has been impressive. Against the Sabres, Boston was forcing too many plays and the passes were either too far ahead, too far behind, or in the skates.
"Trying to pass through the middle of the ice -- high risk," Cassidy said "Probably would've been rewarded for some of those plays if they connected, but it was too much high risk. Not enough forechecking to keep pucks alive."
It caused the Bruins to turn the puck over 18 times during the game, which is so uncharacteristic of the team.
Ice, ice baby: The unseasonably high temperatures on Saturday could have affected the ice at TD Garden. Making excuses is the last thing Cassidy would do, but he did admit the sheet was choppy. At least both teams have to deal with bad ice if that was the case.
"Later in the game, the ice looked a little warmer than normal," Cassidy said. "Look, we're certainly not going to put it on that because we (didn't play well) from start to finish."
Cassidy did say that even if the ice was fine, the team's mindset still wouldn't have been where it needed to be in this game.
Eichel injured: North Chelmsford's Jack Eichel suffered what appeared to be a leg injury in the first period and did not return. The Sabres forward fell awkwardly behind the Bruins' net and Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk also made contact. Eichel's right leg was caught underneath him and it was obvious he was in pain as he made it to his feet, skated off the ice and went to the room.
"Scary incident there," said Sabres' Evander Kane. "He fell so awkwardly and I didn't really know what was going on, but he seems to be in pretty good spirits and we did a really good job as a group of 11 forwards battling."
Hope Eichel is okay, this didn’t look good pic.twitter.com/sTkAmK7pnb
— Marina Molnar (@mkmolnar) February 11, 2018
In all alone, @evanderkane_9 goes bar ⬇️. Make sure that volume's all the way ⬆️. #BUFvsBOS pic.twitter.com/oLRU6b2atx
— NHL (@NHL) February 11, 2018
JAKE DEBRUSK SENDS A TERRIFIC PASS TO RYAN SPOONER WHO BRINGS BOSTON WITHIN 1! pic.twitter.com/W1eytJhfX7
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) February 11, 2018