BSJ Game Report: Devils 3, Bruins 2 (SO) - B’s let another lead slip away

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils  in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

HEADLINES

Bruins take foot off gas: In the immediate aftermath of a disappointing loss to the Devils, perhaps the most striking stat from 2019 lies in the Bruins’ inability to cash in during shootout situations. Following New Jersey’s 3-2 victory, Boston is now 0-6 this season when a victor can’t be determined after five minutes of overtime. It's a concerning stat, for sure. But in this matinee matchup, the Bruins shouldn’t have even been in the situation where a shootout was needed. 

For the third time this season, the Bruins saw a lead of two goals or more evaporate, with New Jersey generating a plus-15 shot differential during regulation play after Joakim Nordstrom gave Boston a 2-0 lead in the early minutes of the second period. 

Jaroslav Halak was one of the few Bruins that didn’t sleepwalk through the third period, but he wasn’t able to turn the tide against an energized Devils’ club, with Jesper Bratt forcing overtime at 13:11 in the final period of regulation. Yes, Boston might have been shorthanded in a contest ultimately decided in the sixth round of the shootout. But this Bruins club had no business dropping a game to a 14-19-6 opponent like New Jersey — especially after jumping out to an early lead. 

THREE UP

Jaroslav Halak: Boston might have built itself a 2-0 lead in this one, off of goals from Brad Marchand and Nordstrom, but the Devils controlled play for most of the final 35 minutes of regulation, holding a 31-14 edge in shots on goal during the second and third periods. Halak (42 saves) might have been tagged with the loss in this one, but there’s a good chance Boston would have dropped this contest in regulation if it wasn’t for his play in net. 

Penalty kill: New Jersey’s man advantage is in a pretty sorry state — ranking 29th in the NHL with a 14.6% success rate this season. Still, Boston’s PK did a good job of frustrating some of New Jersey’s skilled forwards during shorthanded situations, with the Devils’ power play going 0-for-4 on the afternoon. 

Kuraly Line: Along with Nordstrom’s greasy goal at 4:27 in the second period, Boston’s fourth line was one of the few groups that remained rather consistent when it came to playing simple, controlled hockey throughout the afternoon. This line looks like it’s turned a corner a bit since getting reunited last week. 

THREE DOWN

David Backes: Inserted back into the lineup after last appearing in a game on Dec. 19, Backes only logged 7:57 of ice time on Tuesday. The Bruins only landed two shots on goal during the 6:13 of 5v5 ice time that the DeBrusk-Lindholm-Backes line recorded against the Devils. 

Brett Ritchie: Another poor showing from Ritchie, who should be feeling the heat now that skaters like Karson Kuhlman and Zach Senyshyn are playing again back down in Providence. The winger skated for 11:19 of ice time and didn’t record a shot on goal against New Jersey.

Boston’s blue line: Already playing without Torey Krug, Connor Clifton and Charlie McAvoy, Boston’s D corps took another hit on Tuesday — as Steven Kampfer had to exit the game after skating for just 12:23 of ice time. As a result, Zdeno Chara (27:50), Brandon Carlo (27:22) and Matt Grzelcyk (23:20) all saw their minutes spike once again. There stands a good chance, however, that Boston will have Krug back in the fold for Thursday’s matchup against the Blue Jackets. 

PLAY OF THE GAME

Well, at least the Bruins were able to score in the shootout. Progress, right? 



PARTING THOUGHT

Matinee hockey, baby! Woooooooooooo!

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1212090992859463682

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will open up 2020 with a home matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night. It will be the first meeting between both clubs since the Eastern Conference Semifinals back in May.