Okay, it is true that everyone has a bad day once in a while, but what the Bruins displayed in Tuesday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers was very disappointing. For a first place Bruins team 11-3-4, to blow a four-goal lead going into the third period is unthinkable. But, with that being said, the locals have now lost four consecutive games, albeit they earned a single point with their last two losses coming via shootouts.
David Pastrnak continues his hot goal scoring pace, opening the scoring with his second period goal (#16) to lead the NHL. The two teams played to a standoff in the first period, only to see the Bruins break it open by scoring four goals in the last nine minutes of the second period, against the Panthers’ $10 million goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Panthers coach Joel Quennville moved to his 23-year-old backup goaltender, Sam Mentembault, to start the third period. The youngster proceeded to stop all 15 Boston shots he faced, while the Panthers lunged quickly, just 50 seconds into the third period, to put four sheets behind Tuukka Rask and tie the game leading to the shootout. Adding to the oddity of the game was the few seconds of the second period when the house lights went down completely during play.
There is no doubt that Rask has to be solid in net, in order for the Bs to continue their winning play, but as even he admitted, “I should have been sharper. A couple of soft goals, I take most of the blame on that period.” In Rask’s defense, the usually strong Boston penalty kill effectiveness has recently dropped off dramatically. One of the red flags to the Bruins’ recent poor play is that they have now allowed at least four goals in their last five games played…never a good sign.
On the horizon for the struggling Bruins are a pair of strong teams, a Friday night stop (7 p.m.) at Toronto to take on Atlantic Division rival Maple Leafs, with a back-to-back Saturday night matchup on TD Garden ice with the current NHL point leader, the Washington Capitals (7 p.m.). Tuesday will have the Bruins on the road again, this time in New Jersey to face the Devils, before returning to Garden ice to host another Atlantic Division rival, the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m.), who at press time had lost four games in a row.
Zdeno Chara named a ‘Tradition’ honoree
The Sports Museum will hold its 18th annual fundraising gala, The Tradition. Heading the list of honorees will be Boston Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara (presented by Hockey Hall of Famer, Johnny “Chief” Bucyk). Plus former Red Sox player Manny Ramirez (presenter to be announced), Figure Skating Champion Michelle Kwan (presented by 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano), Boston Celtics’ Paul Silas (presented by former Boston Globe sportswriter Bob Ryan), New England Patriots’ Matt Light (presented by former Patriots player, Sammy Morris), and golf legend Ben Crenshaw (presented by eight-time PGA Tour winner, Brad Faxon), rounds out this year’s impressive honorees.
Ticketed guests will be treated to a cocktail reception and a ‘talk-show’ style presentation on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 p.m. on the arena floor at TD Garden. Tickets for this unique fundraiser benefiting The Sports Museum are on sale now at www.sportsmuseum.org/events/the-tradition. Tickets for The Tradition are $350.
Tickets to this event provides financial support to one of the longest running sports museums in the country, as well as the educational programs that The Sports Museum provides to at-risk kids in our community. The event also offers a once in a lifetime experience to mingle with some of New England’s most legendary athletes and industry leaders. Each ticket includes access to complimentary premium food and beverage during the gala reception on TD Garden’s arena floor and a seat at the ‘talk-show’ style awards ceremony. During the ceremony, honorees share career highlights and anecdotal stories that give fans a glimpse into the lives of these living legends.