Tonight's game was obviously the Bruins' first against the Penguins since Matt Cooke ended Marc Savard's season.Sadly, the Bruins' response was lacklustre.
Though the liberal media would have you focus on Cooke and Thornton fighting in the first period, or Chara and Rupp in the third, the real storyline is around the Bruins' lack of desperation when points are so valuable in the playoff hunt.
With the Bruins barely hanging on to 8th place in the East, and the Rangers and Thrashers within striking distance, I was hoping the Bruins would be more motivated. But they were out-chanced and out-hustled throughout the game, especially in the second period.
This Bruins team is at its best when it plays a heavy-forecheck, defensive-press type of game - always hurrying the puck carrier and finishing checks. They haven't played that way with any consistency and consequently they haven't been winning.
That sound you hear is the playoffs, slipping away.
"Terrible night for the Boston Bruins, quite frankly." Bob McKenzie for TSN.
The B's next game is Sunday afternoon against the Rangers, which is surely another game that the team should be motivated for. Let's see what level of competition they can offer, now that they don't have to avenge a fallen teammate.
I seriously hope there are a few 'players-only' and 'closed-door' meetings between now and then, because something has to give or the season is effectively over.
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