Bruins upset by Toronto, 3-2

The Boston Bruins wrap up their four game road trip with a 1-3 record, falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night, 3-2. In victory, the Leafs snapped an eight game losing streak. Boston’s inability to convert in its attacking end proved to be the fatal flaw once again.

This original six showdown was surely an odd one. Anton Khudobin got the start for Boston when it was many expecting Tuukka Rask. Coming off a diamond of a performance against the Senators, Bruins coach Claude Julien decided to ride the hot hand. It’s a bit puzzling though, considering Rask in 7-1 all time against the Leafs.

Khudobin was shaky, allowing a goal in each period. Nazem Kadri (14), Mikhail Grabovski (8), and Fraser McLaren (3) scored for the Leafs. In a desperation effort, Boston pulled Khudobin following McLaren’s goal and replaced him with Rask. Rask was able to stop the bleeding and Boston then began to battle back.

To the surprise of many, in the final period, it was Andrew Ference (2) and Dennis Seidenberg (2) registering the Bruins lone markers. Both defensemen drove heavy blasts through traffic and by James Reimer. Boston severely outshot Toronto, 33-13. The Leafs goaltender was terrific, stopping thirty-one shots. Credit the Maple Leaf defense in limiting Boston ‘s quality scoring chances and forcing play along the boards.

In each of the three losses on the trip, it has been the B’s offense coming up short. Only scoring a measly 5 goals on the roadie and failing to convert on nine power play opportunities is quite disheartening. The bounces and breaks are simply avoiding the B’s.

The Bruins top goal scorers were nowhere to be found and haven’t been for sometime now. Dennis Seidenberg has been Boston’s most consistent goal scorer, finding the net in two straight. The B’s are not getting to the high traffic areas on a consistent enough basis to be winners and it shows. 

In losing, the Bruins drop to 20-7-3. Boston needs to find a remedy and quick. These two sides will be at it again Monday night in Boston. The Bruins will face a must win game because Toronto can draw within two points of them.