Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 6-3 loss against the Lightning in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis…
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
B’s emerge unscathed: Holding on to a two-goal lead through the first 20 minutes of play, Boston probably isn’t too thrilled about what transpired over the final two periods on Saturday afternoon, as the Lightning reeled off four unanswered goals en route to an eventual 6-3 victory. Still, with regulars like Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Brandon Carlo and Torey Krug all held out of game action, Boston’s top priority on Saturday was to escape unscathed going into the postseason. Despite a couple of heart palpitations, both the B’s and Lightning succeeded in that regard.
However, with 32 total penalty minutes on the afternoon, it was far from a clean regular-season finale — with a hit on David Krejci by Lightning rookie Mathieu Joseph in the final minutes of the second period raising some tensions.
Add in some heavy checks over the final period of play and a kerfuffle featuring Joseph and
David Backes
that led to a pair of game misconducts for
Trent Frederic
and
Erik Cernak,
and Boston has to be thankful that it didn’t lose any extra bodies ahead of the playoffs.
Awards season:
No surprise — but the Bruins’
Three Star Awards
went to the usual suspects up front in
David Pastrnak
3rd star),
Patrice Bergeron
(2nd) and
Brad Marchand
(1st) — who combined for a casual 106 goals and 260 total points this season. Marchand also took home the
Elizabeth Dufresne Trophy
, which is handed out to the player with the most outstanding performance during Bruins' home games. Marchand racked up 21 goals and 61 points on home ice this season.
Jake DeBrusk
received the
Eddie Shore Award
for demonstrating exceptional hustle and determination throughout the 2018-19 season. Despite a couple of cold spells, DeBrusk became just one of 11 Bruins players to tally 27 or more goals during his second full NHL season.
Zdeno Chara
took home the
John P. Bucyk Award
for his charitable efforts in the Boston area during the 2018-19 campaign.
Along with these accolades,
Tuukka Rask
was also recognized for becoming Boston’s all-time leader in wins by a goaltender. The veteran netminder surpassed
Tiny Thompson
in career victories back on Feb. 3 against the Capitals.
TWO UP
Danton Heinen:
Despite starting on Boston’s de-facto fourth line to open Saturday’s matinee, Heinen closed out the regular season on a strong note — snapping home his 11th goal of the season after forcing a turnover in the slot. While it’s been a largely disappointing year for the winger after notching 47 points as a rookie, Boston needs to get Heinen going this postseason, especially with his defined spot in the lineup being a bit in limbo.
David Krejci:
With a two-point showing on Saturday, Krejci tied his career-high in scoring for a single season with 73 points over 81 games played. It was a renaissance campaign for the veteran pivot, who set his career mark in scoring all the way back during the 2008-09 season. Over his last six games, Krejci has recorded nine points — including eight assists.
TWO DOWN
Power play:
Along with an 0-for-2 showing, Boston’s power play once again showcased what could be a fatal flaw for this club come the postseason in terms of relinquishing shorthanded goals. Just eight seconds after
Braydon Coburn
was whistled for a slash, Tampa Bay capitalized, as
Steven Stamkos
skated in on a breakaway after Pastrnak failed to corral a loose puck at the blue line. With Stamkos’ backhand tally, the Bruins have now surrendered 15 shorthanded strikes this season — the most in the NHL.
Tuukka Rask:
Not sure how much stock you want to put into the final game of the regular season, but it was far from the finest outing from Rask — who surrendered five goals on 21 shots. Boston’s No. 1 goalie for the postseason, per Cassidy, has now allowed three or more goals in five of his last eight outings.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Never a good sight to see two of your players crash into each other by the net, but Boston will take the goal — which stood as Krejci’s 20th tally of the year.
PARTING THOUGHT
Goalies beware when
Karson Kuhlman
winds up for a slap shot:
LOOKING AHEAD
Next up, the Bruins will begin their campaign for Lord Stanley’s Cup. While a full schedule won’t be announced for Boston’s first-round series against Toronto until Sunday morning, Game 1 will likely be held on Thursday night at TD Garden. Now the fun begins.
