Bruins Keep Series Alive With 3-2 Win Over Senators @ CTC
With the Senators taking an early 2-0 lead into the game, Sens Army would have been forgiven for beginning to celebrate. Boston however, prolonged the series by a game at least.
One of the major positives to take from the game was Mark Stone notching his first goal in 18 games, 11:19 into the first period on a breakaway, firing it past Tukka Rask. You could see in Stone’s celebration that it was a huge weight off of his shoulders. The CTC was bouncing as one of their favourite sons broke a goal drought. Where Boston’s defence was we shall never know, a great goal for Stone, of course you still have to finish it but it was a lovely gift from the Bruins.
Pageau would send the Senators two clear 30 seconds into the second period on a replica of the first, breakaway, no one at home and Pagaeu goes five-hole through Rask with a snapshot. The CTC was rocking at this stage and many expected the Sens to see it out.
Bar the 30 seconds of joy in the second period, the Senators rocky middle frames continued in this series with two goals sacrificed. Chris Wideman has come under a ton of criticism in the last couple of games and last night was no exception. It’s hard not to agree with them to a certain extent. Known as an offensive defenceman he has increasingly been a liability at the back, letting players past and positionally all over the shop. Questions will remain and whether Freddie Claesson deserves a call-up. I’m still baffled as to what Claesson has to do to get into this team, clearly not a favourite with Guy Boucher.
Bruins Youth Shining
One issue I will raise with you, with Boston relying on the youngsters to fill gaps in an injured roster they are shining. McAvoy has been exceptional and has really stepped up to the mark, Kuraly last night netting twice and his reaction said it all. These kids have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Colin White. It must be so frustrating for him, he must be thinking why on earth did I sign here. Binghamton didn’t make the playoffs and his parent club don’t want to play him. White would add a lot to this team, he is more talented than the fourth line out there and some on the third. I hate to hear this “he isn’t experienced”, he has lit up the World Juniors in the last two years.
You may dislike the Leafs but what Babcock said before the playoffs was spot on. When asked if his players were experienced his replied that the kids have been winners at every level of hockey they’ve played. It was the senior players who had forgotten what it felt like to win he was worried about.
Bruins Deserving
Let’s face it, the Bruins deserved last night’s game. Ottawa had their chances and couldn’t make them pay. Firstly, the powerplay is absolutely atrocious and need to make teams pay. 0/4 last night and 0/3 in Game 4. To win this series and to go deep it’s an issue that needs addressing, my fear is that it can’t be ratified this season.
It’s not all doom and gloom, I thought the Senators PK was superb and defensively solid in that respect.
Throwing away another two goal lead is soul destroying. They need to close out games and get out of sight. Going to Boston Sunday makes no difference to me, in fact the Sens have played better in TD Garden, so that is a positive to take out of it.
Next: The Emergence of Bobby Ryan
Be under no illusion, the pressure is now on, losing Game 6 is not an option. Lose Game 6 and you’ll most likely lose Game 7 with the momentum riding right against you.