Boston averaged only 2.25 goals in eight games from January 21-Feb.
Advertisement
Nobody ever said life without Patrice Bergeron would be an easy existence for the Boston Bruins, and they found that out firsthand against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon. “We were up 3-1”.
New York Islanders’ Josh Bailey reacts after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in New York.
Since that point, there has been some progress, some of which was evident on Sunday.
After the Bruins took a two-goal lead, Brad Marchand took an interference penalty and the Red wings went on the power play. Eriksson one-timed a slick feed from David Krejci by the splitting Mrazek and gave the Bruins a two-goal lead.
The Magic Man’s contribution helped the Red Wings to go 3-0-1 during their recent home stand that included key victories over the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators in a tight divisional playoff race. Greiss made a handful of terrific stops, and the Red Wings (29-19-9) couldn’t beat him until 9:31 of the third, when Pavel Datsyuk batted in a rebound to cut the Isles’ lead to 3-1.
“We’re what, 11 games over.500?” coach Jack Capuano said. So it’s important that we are mentally tough and realize that our bodies aren’t as exhausted as maybe our minds are telling us. “I don’t feel and look at myself as being old, but when I look back to my first game and remember seeing guys that were my age and playing that many games, I used to think they were ancient”. He said the Bruins were, in fact, a bit exhausted after the three-in-four slate. A little light came on after that and thats the reason I did it. Marchand opened the scoring with a wrist shot after the Bruins won a faceoff in the Detroit zone. The blow sent McDonagh to the ice with a concussion and he hasn’t played since, so it was to the surprise of absolutely no one that Simmonds was challenged just a half a minute into the game by the Ranges’ Dylan McIlrath. “We couldn’t find that first one”. They do not really need moral victories, though they will certainly take them.
Said center Brock Nelson, who had a goal and an assist: “I think we’ve had some good stretches, but it’s nice to kind of get on a roll here at home”. “We just want to play the right way, to be honest with you”.
But, at this point, is it enough? Pavel Datsyuk scored in the third period as the Wings avoided what would have been their first shutout of the season.
The week was just part of a longer hot streak, in which Marchand has scored in seven straight games and 12 of his last 13 games.
Advertisement
New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Boston Bruins forward Bard Marchand were named the second and third stars respectively.
