Recap: Bruins lose a close one in Tampa, 3-1

Asking for a sweep against Florida and Tampa on consecutive nights was always going to be a difficult order, and while the Bruins gave a good effort, it wasn’t enough.

In the heart of Boston, where hockey reigns supreme, the atmosphere around the Bruins was heated. Fans filled the TD Garden, their cheers mingled with displeasure. Coach Jim Montgomery stood at the middle of it all, his formerly commanding demeanor clouded by disappointment.

Montgomery, known for his strategic prowess, took charge of the team with great expectations. However, as the season went, the Bruins found themselves on a downward spiral. Losses piled up, with each defeat cutting more into the team’s psyche.

Montgomery’s coaching selections were heavily scrutinized. His lineup decisions appeared perplexing, with elite players benched while lesser talents floundered on the ice. Fans questioned his strategies, accusing him of playing it safe when boldness was required and taking unwarranted chances when caution was advised.

Brayden Point scored his 42nd goal of the season on a wraparound early in the second period, which proved to be the game-winner in the Bolts’ eventual 3-1 victory.Danton Heinen scored the Bruins’ first goal late in the first period, and Nikita Kucherov added an empty-netter with 30 seconds left to seal the victory.

The win extended the Lightning’s point streak to eight games and moved them within two points of Toronto for third place in the Atlantic, despite Toronto having a game in hand.

Michael Chaffee opened the scoring for Tampa midway in the first period, capitalizing on a fast Lightning re-entry to make it 1-0.

Dave Mishkin calls Chaffee's goal pic.twitter.com/ls6VuuvnmH

— Bucs Rays Bolts (@BucsRaysBoltsYT) March 28, 2024

A solid forecheck resulted in a turnover, which Heinen scored late in the first period for his 15th goal of the season to tie the game at one.

Midway through the second period, Point beat Linus Ullmark and the Bruins’ defense with a wraparound goal, bringing the score 2-1 Tampa.

From there on out, the Bruins had some good chances, including two power play tries that were unsuccessful.

Kucherov’s empty-netter completed the 3-1 Tampa victory.

Brayden Point scores on the wraparound! 🔄 pic.twitter.com/nHmzdFPscB

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 28, 2024

Game notes
I’m not sure I’d call it a “scheduled loss,” but I had low expectations for the Bruins coming into tonight. For the most part, they put out effort, but Tampa outperformed them. This happens.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, who hasn’t had a great season statistically, was outstanding for Tampa, making one or two big saves and even assisting on Kucherov’s empty-netter.

Speaking of that goal, Tampa used a unique technique in that Kucherov essentially waited in the neutral zone when the Bruins tossed it in. Tampa gained possession, threw it down the ice, and that was it.

Heinen continues to be one of the season’s finest value picks, scoring his 15th and 30th goals tonight. He advanced from a tryout to a player who has outscored some big (and expensive) names.

James van Riemsdyk did not have a good night, being beaten to the net by Chaffee on the first goal and then taking a hooking penalty (also against Chaffee) two minutes later. He skated under ten minutes that night.

The B’s avoided penalty trouble for the most part, with the aforementioned hooking call on JVR resulting in Tampa’s only power play.

Jim Montgomery stated after the game that he did not enjoy his team’s forechecking tonight, but credited Tampa with being more effective on the forecheck. I could be making excuses, but it appears that fatigued legs would have an impact on it.

The B’s will now have some time to rest before their next game in Washington on Saturday night.

For “playoff watch” on Thursday, we have:

Leafs vs Capitals
Islanders vs Panthers
Red Wings versus Hurricanes