Last night's game certainly wasn't boring. While the Bruins played some terrible hockey and shot themselves in the foot on multiple occasions, they also displayed a lot of perseverance and what Brick calls 'sticktuitiveness' to keep battling back and tie and ultimately win a game that they never led. After Ullmark made those couple of huge stops and Geekie and Pasta brought the team back to life, the Bs rallied really well and basically owned the 3rd period - 21 shot attempts to 7, 9 shots on target to 1, 3 high danger chances to 1 - and if not for a couple of defensive gaffs could perhaps have won it in regulation.
Lohrei had a really solid game, maybe his best for Boston, topped by a smart goal, and while Gryz still can't buy a point, he was busy and tilting the ice in the B's favor in a way we haven't seen in a while. Wotherspoon also did ok. On the other hand, the less said about Lindholm and Shatty, the better.
So good and bad, and Boston's going to need a lot more of the former to beat the Rangers. They're capable of it, and NY are a very good team but they have their weaknesses. The Bruins can't get sucked into a wide-open pond hockey game against them like they did last time. They'll never keep up. Good structure, have your game plans and stick to them, limit/contain the rushes and don't allow your short-handed defense to get exposed on its own too often, try and cycle the puck and build some O zone pressure. In Toronto 2 weeks ago Monty had the Bs play the classic role and tactics of the underdog road team, and it worked, just. I expect he'll do the same again tonight, hopefully with similar results.
