By: Mike Sullivan | Follow me on Twitter @_MikeSullivan
“The most beautiful moments always seemed to accelerate and slip beyond one’s grasp just when you want to hold onto them for as long as possible.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri
Last night, Boston’s 14-0-0 home record was broken with a shootout loss to Bruce Cassidy’s Vegas Golden Knights last night. The undefeated home stand has come to an end. Although, by securing the extra time, they still have yet to lose in regulation on TD Garden ice!
Last night’s game, if you were lucky enough to be there, was an up-and-down rollercoaster. The Bruins started slow, allowing two goals on four shots and falling behind three to zero at one point. That changed when Marchand opened the scoring, followed by a late second-period tally from Pastrnak. Hall then tied the game with a power play goal sending the Garden into a frenzy. Ultimately, the Bruins couldn’t solve Thompson in the shootout, and Reilly Smith found a way to plant one behind Jeremy Swayman, giving the Knights the win in the shootout.
This was also the former head coach of the Boston Bruins, Bruce Cassidy’s return to TD Garden since he was fired last summer. Many people, including myself, were curious about how he’d be received by the Boston crowd. Although, I don’t think there was ever much of a doubt he’d be cheered. Bruce’s six seasons as the Boston bench boss saw nothing but success. The fans were sure to let him feel their appreciation.
As the cameras peered closer at Bruce, it was clear he was becoming emotional. Bruce became teary-eyed as fans rose to their feet, applauding his work with the team. Bruce tapped on his heart, waved to the fans, and gestured his appreciation back towards the Garden faithful. Looking back at the actual game, the Bruins started slowly. We’ve begun to see this trend over the last stretch of games.
Boston started slowly against Carolina, Tampa, and Florida. When playing high-quality teams such as the Hurricanes, Panthers, and Lightning, it is imperative that you start the game off on the right foot. It’s difficult to play from behind against any hockey team, let alone top talented teams in the league.
That being said, the Boston hockey club has shown resiliency in putting its entire weight on the gas pedal and holding it down until the deficit was cut back and taken over in most cases.
The team’s willingness to compete and never quit until the final horn is quite compelling. The two-goal comeback against Carolina is a perfect example of that. During that game, Boston exuded strength; a never say die attitude, and heart. Their competitiveness, even when they’re down and seemingly out, is admirable.
Even though last night’s game ended in a loss, it was a clear example of that grit and determination that the Bruins have up and down the lineup. Even though the undefeated record of 14-0-0 is now cut to 14-0-1, the Boston Bruins remain a force that the rest of the league is struggling to solve. The offensive clinics they portray, followed by lockdown defense and stellar goaltending from Linus Ullmark, continue to give NHL teams fits. This team is as legitimate as they come.
Unfortunately, the undefeated home record could only last so long, and it was fitting that Bruce Cassidy was the one to put an end to it.
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