Heavyweight contest. Bruins dominated the 1st but didn't hit the scoreboard enough, Stars responded and had the better of the 2nd and probably the start of the 3rd as well, forced the game more onto their terms and gave Boston very little offensively. Bs rallied though, and came home with a wet sail. Both defenses were excellent and very strong on the PK, although I'd say ours was overall better. Oettinger was great, as expected, Ullmark let in a bad goal but steadied after that. The Bruins just willed themselves to victory that little bit more, and that got them the deserved extra point. Zacha was outstanding and the difference-maker tonight.
The Bs have some work to do up forwards. The return of DeBrusk is obviously going to help but it can't just be about one player. Injuries are going to happen and the team needs to be able to absorb them and then need to find a little bit more of the creativity, speed and ability to create and use space they showed in the first half of the season. They've not miles away, but opposing teams are probably learning how better to nullify our game, so a response is needed. Still time to work that out. And the PP, well it sucks. Don't know what exact the fix is, but yeah it just has to offer more than it does. Can't have teams with no fear of playing on the edge against us and occasionally drawing calls. Need to put some hesitancy back in the opposition.
As I said in the GDT, these are good games for the Bs to be playing in. Tough contests against teams who have come to play, that force them to dig deep, absorb pressure and find out what they are made of. We need these, they're great playoffs prep. Helps teach the team how to win when it's hard and a single play can make a huge impact. Another good road test coming up in Nashville. Keep 'em coming.
The Bs have some work to do up forwards. The return of DeBrusk is obviously going to help but it can't just be about one player. Injuries are going to happen and the team needs to be able to absorb them and then need to find a little bit more of the creativity, speed and ability to create and use space they showed in the first half of the season. They've not miles away, but opposing teams are probably learning how better to nullify our game, so a response is needed. Still time to work that out. And the PP, well it sucks. Don't know what exact the fix is, but yeah it just has to offer more than it does. Can't have teams with no fear of playing on the edge against us and occasionally drawing calls. Need to put some hesitancy back in the opposition.
As I said in the GDT, these are good games for the Bs to be playing in. Tough contests against teams who have come to play, that force them to dig deep, absorb pressure and find out what they are made of. We need these, they're great playoffs prep. Helps teach the team how to win when it's hard and a single play can make a huge impact. Another good road test coming up in Nashville. Keep 'em coming.
