The Boston Bruins were due for a stinker and maybe now it's out of their system after a disgusting 6-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. This was a tough one for the Bruins. Because things have been going so well the last two months, it'll be interesting to see how Boston responds after one of its worst defensive games of the season.
Maybe a defensive performance like this has general manager Don Sweeney re-thinking his approach to the trade deadline.
Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' loss in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
HEADLINES
The dead zone: For the majority of the season, the Bruins have had the ability to recognize an issue and fix it immediately. These defensive-zone breakdowns the last few games are a trend Boston needs to stop and stop quickly before it becomes an epidemic.
Not on me: When Tuukka Rask struggled earlier this season, it wasn't all on him. Yes, he wasn't sharp, but the defense in front of him was subpar. That was the case again against the Canucks. Even though Rask made a few timely saves early in this game, there were too many defensive breakdowns and he didn't get any help. Actually thought that Bruce Cassidy would pull Rask after the third goal, but the coach waited until the start of the second period to make the change with Anton Khudobin.
Nilsson ➡️ Stecher ➡️ Horvat ➡️ ??? pic.twitter.com/UoPdnOkiB9
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 18, 2018
LOUI ERIKSSON OPENS THE SCORING EARLY AGAINST THE BRUINS! pic.twitter.com/Aq1yaXPbXG
— NHL Daily 365 (@NHLDaily365) February 18, 2018
Schaller breaks the shutout #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/wju4xBlR3X
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) February 18, 2018