The loss to the Oilers the other night has revealed a disturbing trend that has not been corrected and it's starting to be too common. Up till the 3rd period, the Bruins had played a decent game. Limiting McDavid to a few chances but that is going to happen. The play was pretty much even and as the Bruins entered the 3rd, they had the lead. But the wheels on the bus came off hard.
Beginning in the 3rd with a brutal give away from Carlo to Draisaitl that tied the game at 6:22 of the 3rd and it was a struggle for the rest of the period for a few players including Carlo and the Haula, DeBrusk, and Smith line that was also victimized by Draisaitl again when he was left not properly defended in front of the net. Capping off a 3 goal period was Cody Ceci late in the 3rd at 17:41 created by a bad play by Clifton on the boards that caused a domino effect, a scramble, and the final goal. A result once again because of a D man's poor handling of the puck. Plus after Ulmark made a great save, instead of trying to corral the puck he hit it with his stick directly in the slot and Ceci took advantage.
Without laboring the point, the Bruins continued the trend of errors within their own zone that caused the collapse. The D all have been suspect at times even McAvoy. Carlo had one of his worst periods by his own admission and Clifton, well can we just admit he should not be a regular but is a 7th. Forbort looks dreadful some shifts, Reilly soft on the boards and Grzelcyk decision making sometimes is off. On top of that, you had bad positional play by some of the forwards, weak checking like DeBrusk on the 4th gaol by the Oilers. It's been a comedy of errors costing the Bruins points and wins.
Plus if a team is struggling to find its A-game in terms of playing defense you have to have a goalie steal a few points for you and although Ulmark has been good, that doesn't cut it when your team is not playing well enough in front of you.
11 games into the season this Bruins team has not gelled, lacks secondary scoring again, is being carried by the top line specifically Brad and Bergy because Paata still isn't playing to his potential, the D has been a disaster at times, the PP is hit or miss, goaltending good but not great and the new players have been underwhelming.
Last Thoughts: As it is right now unless this team finds its mojo and finds its game a playoff spot could be in jeopardy and let's not even pretend that as it's playing, this team could contend for a cup. The harsh reality for a Bruin fan is this, perhaps this team is simply not that good. We have a few elite players but too many bottom 6 players that cannot produce. I've been critical of Sweeny for years and this team is on his plate. He wasted a solid core, has drafted poorly, and let's not talk about some of his trades and signings. But he is still employed !!
Hopefully, this team will turn it around and prove my worries wrong. Will see!
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