BSJ Game Report: Flames 5, Bruins 2 - Slow start snaps B’s 4-game win streak

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

B’s can’t capitalize in frustrating start

At the end of 20 minutes of play, the Bruins and Flames combined for 24 shots on goal, including five high-danger scoring chances for the Black and Gold.

And yet, Boston found itself trailing 3-0 going into the first intermission, done in by a pair of miscues from Tuukka Rask and a frustrating overturned goal (we’ll get to Rask later).



Despite relinquishing three goals, the Bruins had a chance to draw within two in the closing minutes of the stanza after David Pastrnak beat Mike Smith, but the Flames challenged the play — with video replay showing that Patrice Bergeron was offside during the B’s zone entry.

It was just that kind of night for the Black and Gold.

B’s scoring depth runs dry again

While Boston’s top forward line has done most of the heavy lifting this season, the Bruins had hope that Saturday’s win over the Red Wings would get the rest of Boston’s lines going — with all four forward trios lighting the lamp in the 8-2 victory.

Well, that momentum didn’t translate to Wednesday’s game, as Lines 2-4 were held off the scoresheet once again. A few lineup shuffles might be in the cards for Thursday’s matchup against the Oilers, especially on a third line where both Ryan Donato and Anders Bjork were largely ineffective.

THREE UP:

The Bergeron line: Shocking, right? The top-heavy Bruins once again received most of their scoring from their devastating trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Pastrnak, who finished with four points on the night despite getting knocked around at times by a relentless forecheck from Mikeael Backlund’s line.

While both Bergeron and Marchand lit the lamp Wednesday, the top line wasn’t without fault, as a turnover by Pastrnak led to Michael Frolik’s second strike of the night at 3:32 in the second.

Still the production from this top group has been off the charts — with the line now up to 34 points over the past five games.

Brandon Carlo: His game may not jump out, but Carlo was a reliable presence on the B’s blue line Wednesday, playing a key role in killing four Bruins penalties — including logging an extended shift with Zdeno Chara and Noel Acciari to thwart a 5-on-3 chance for the Flames that lasted 1:16.

Carlo also had a heads-up play to keep the puck in on Pastrnak’s overruled goal in the first, while later stopping a Grade-A scoring chance by keeping his stick down and deflecting a feed from Sam Bennett behind the net. Good stuff from the 21-year-old defenseman.

Second Line: Expect some tweaks to the B’s forward group going forward, but Bruce Cassidy doesn’t have to fret much about the second line, with Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci and Joakim Nordstrom all holding their own. Krejci earned the primary assist on Bergeron’s opening tally and was second among Bruins forwards with a 56.0 Corsi For Percentage, while DeBrusk broke up a great scoring chance for the Flames in the second with a great backcheck sequence.

THREE DOWN:

Power Play: Despite the margin of defeat, the Black and Gold had plenty of chances to claw back in the contest thanks to four Calgary penalties — but Boston failed to capitalize on any of its stints on the man advantage.

The backbreaker came at the start of the third period, as Boston only managed a pair of shots on goal during a 5-on-3 sequence that lasted for 58 seconds. Boston still has an effective power play (31.3 PP% - seventh in NHL), but Boston will need some contributions from their second PP unit, with players like Krejci, DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy and Bjork held off the scoresheet on the man advantage so far this season.  

Tuukka Rask: Rask had some downright absurd saves in this game, including a superb pad stop on a Johnny Gaudreau breakaway and a post-to-post save on former Bruin Austin Czarnik — both of which would have been sure goals.

Still, you have to put a few strikes against Rask for a pair of soft goals in the first, with the netminder being caught out of position for a rebound strike from Gaudreau at 15:20 in the opening frame.

Just 48 seconds later, Calgary converted again — with Juuso Valimaki firing in a shot that banked off of Rask’s shoulder and dropped behind him and into the net to make it a 3-0 game. On the year, Rask is 2-2-0 with a 4.08 GAA and an .881 save percentage.

Anders Bjork: Not a whole bunch from Bjork in this one, with the young forward logging zero shots on goal over 10:55 TOI, including 2:57 as the net-front guy on the top power-play unit.

UP NEXT: The Bruins don’t have much time to rest, as the B’s will continue their four-game trip to Canada with a matchup against the Oilers on Thursday. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m.