BUFFALO -- What a long, strange trip it's been.
It was an emotional week for the Bruins and it ended with another tough loss: a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, who are 30th in the NHL in points. The Bruins went 2-3-0 on this 10-day, five-game road trip through Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Buffalo. It didn't help that the last two games have been back-to-backs.
"We looked slow today," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
He's not about to make excuses and said this type of hockey was inexcusable at this point of the season, especially with a tight race in the Atlantic Division standings. Plus, there are only 22 games remaining and they all come in a 44-day stretch, which is an insane schedule for the stretch run.
"We had things going our way pretty well, so now it's a bit of adversity," Cassidy said. "That's not necessarily a bad thing either. We went through it at the start of the year and it made us a better hockey club for that stretch. We're going through a bit of it now and the hope is it will make us a better hockey club down the road. And, it ain't getting easier with our schedule going forward. It's going to be on us to get mentally dialed back in here."
The Bruins lacked bite during this trip. There's been a lot going on around the team with the roster changes due to the trade deadline, but the focus needs to be on the ice.
"We should be starting to get in playoff mode now because you can't just flip a switch when the regular season is over and all of a sudden play a certain way," said David Backes. "When we play our tight checking, good puck-management game it's tough for anybody to beat us."
Everything else you need to know from the Bruins' loss in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis.
HEADLINES
Introducing: Rick Nash made his Bruins debut and was solid. He played the right side with David Krejci in the middle and rookie forward Jake DeBrusk on the left. Nash logged 17:27 of ice time, produced five shots, another hit the post and he blocked a shot.
Rick Nash's first shift as a Bruin is in the books. Tune in to NESN and NESNgo to watch the B's battle the Sabres. pic.twitter.com/p2o31SkbDK
— NESN (@NESN) February 25, 2018
Risto ▶️ Reino ▶️ E-Rod ? pic.twitter.com/YiGGFK5R0o
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 25, 2018