The Bruins fall to the Islanders last night 6-2 (2 empty net goals) and the campaign for this season is over. Here are my basic takeaways .
1. The D core was exposed and it was brutal to see. Without Miller for the whole series and losing Carlo in game 3 . The Bruins had to rely on a few D that really are bottom pairing and I would argue more spare parts than starting D in the league. Clifton, Lauzon and Reilly all had real struggles with puck movement in this game and series . Add to that both McAvoy and Grzelcyk didn't really have great nights either and you have a recipe for trouble. McAvoy overall in this series was great but you could tell the Islanders where targeting him and trying to wear him down. Grzelyck had a real rough night with 2 blunders resulting in goals. He also really struggled in game 5 as well. Sweeney gambled on a young core by allowing Krug and Chara go . I was not of fan of either and I said it would cost them and it did .
2. Tuukka Rask : His health this year has been an issue and seemed to be a growing worry in this series . He looked fine at the start of the series but as it wore on , not so much . In game 5 he was pulled after 2 periods and there was some doubt he would not start this game. He did and although the D did him no favors , it was clear he was not right . At least 2 shots I believe he could have stopped and his tracking of the puck was off. Also a very poor pass from Rask led to a turnover and a goal. He wasn't sharp and if you are going to survive in an elimination game , often your goalie has to be your best player . Should have Cassidy started Swayman ? Maybe , but cant undue the past.
3. Secondary Scoring : This was supposed to be the year . Sweeney acquired Hall and Krecji finally had a winger . Hall was fine after the trade deadline . Helping the Bruins to get going and make the playoffs . He had a decent series against the Caps but the Islanders he was a ghost. One goal , an empty net in the 1st game just will will not cut it if you want to go deeper in the playoffs. Coyle was absolutely a bust this season and it continued into the playoffs. He scored one highlight reel goal early in the series but even after that goal , for the rest of that game he was ineffective. In an elimination game you need all hands on deck and he just wasn't going. DeBrusk who has had a horrid run of late being in and out of the line up also just didn't have that jump or extra in this game . The bottom line , was held pointless and as was the case in both series , where all over the map with one good shift followed by numerous weak outings .
4.Intangibles: The fact of the matter calls , bounces and breaks happen in hockey. Game 5 in this series was an utter joke in terms of officiating and although game 6 was better , one pivotal spot in the 2nd period , Palmieri cheap shot McAvoy after a play with no call caused a ripple affect . McAvoy was shaken and had to leave the game after the NHL spotters for concussions made him leave for the observation room . During that time , the Bruins D breakdowns led to a 3-1 lead. If a call happened , maybe that doesn't occur. Plus McAvoy didn't look right when he came back. But that is the game of hockey . If one looks at the analytics of this whole series it looks like a Bruin easy victory but better goaltending and mistakes with a few Islanders stepping up , series over.
It was a challenging year with the pandemic and I'm just grateful that this season provided some great moments and that this team helped me forget all the crap happening around us . So thanks Bruins . Till next season .
So with the season over I'm going to grade players , give my ideas what they need to do for next year and give my prediction how they will do . Join in if you want with your team . This may be a Bruin blog but if you follow a team , give me your thoughts what your team should do. Part of the fun of loving hockey is sharing the passion . We are all armchair GMs after all.
Go Bruins !
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