Opportunity will only wait so long for you to answer the door after it has knocked. The Boston Bruins seem to be ignoring opportunity’s request to enter. After rattling off 5 wins earlier this month and looking like a playoff bound team, they have lost 6 straight and have found themselves without a playoff spot.
On a dreary Thursday evening, that would’ve made Edgar Allan Poe jealous, the Bruins squandered another opportunity to secure a much-needed 2 points when they lost to the Anaheim Ducks. With 38 seconds left in the third, Anaheim forward Corey Perry scored his 32 goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime.
“I thought we were playing well,” said Bruins forward Ryan Spooner. “There were some times where we were held in our end and stuff like that but for the most part it was a good game, except for the bounce at the end that didn’t really go our way. We have to live with that and we have two games coming up on the weekend so we have to make sure we play well in those ones for sure.”
At the 3:09 minute mark of the overtime period, Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf beat Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask glove side, to give Anaheim the win and the much coveted 2nd point. There was a somewhat crestfallen atmosphere in the locker room after the game.
When asked about the mood in the locker room, Bruins forward Chris Kelly answered, “Obviously disappointed in the result. I thought we played well. I thought we defended well, and our power play did a great job getting two goals. It’s disappointing.”
Although the Bruins lost, they did get one point and can take some positives from the game. They were the dominant team for most of the game, scoring both of their goals on the power play. Defensively there weren’t any drastic meltdowns. However, the game, just like the weather, was lovely for the Ducks.
“Yeah it was a battle out there,” said Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid. “Some heavy bodies and guys being strong on pucks and obviously low scoring game. Little disappointing because of the ending but it was a hard fought battle. I mean we can still take the positives. Like I said, it was a battle but at the same time it’s tough to lose at that point so it stings that way. We’ve got a lot of games in a short period of time here. We have to keep staying positive and building on the positive things that we’re doing.”
The Bruins will play a Saturday matinee game against the top team in the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers. The Rangers, fresh off a 5-1 victory over Ottawa, could be a possible first round matchup for the Bruins if they are able to make the playoffs.
“It’s a big game. They’re all big. They’re playing well. We just need to regroup and get ready for them,” said Kelly when asked about his mindset going into Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers. “Have a good practice day tomorrow, and get ready for them on Saturday.”
