The Boston Bruins took on the New York Rangers at Madison Square on Wednesday night. The Bruins looked to bounce back from their first loss of the preseason on Wednesday night; unfortunately the Bruins fell to the Rangers 3-2. Jonas Gustavsson got the start for the Bruins and played the entire game, he allowed three goals on 24 shots.
Gustavsson is still embroiled in a goal tending battle with Jeremy Smith to determine who will be the backup goalie for Tuukka Rask. According to Coach Julien, Gustavsson looked good during the game and he didn’t think the goals were really his fault. The Bruins will have a big decision to make heading into the season and the goalie tandem for Friday’s preseason finale could be very telling for who they will go with for the season.
The Bruins offense had a pretty good showing for being such a young lineup against a very experienced Rangers team. They were able to muster 41 shots on Henrik Lundqvist, they looked very good through the first period and a half. But as the game wore on their inexperience started to catch up with them, and eventually it led to a collapse.
Brett Connolly led the Bruins in the scoring providing all of their offense for the game; Ryan Spooner also had two assists on the goals. Kevin Hayes added an assist on one of the goals to round out the offense that was provided from the forwards. The defense also had a decent game for being a young core back there standing in front of Gustavsson.
Zach Trotman was the lone defensemen who added an assist to Brett Connolly’s second goal. Along with Trotman, Colin Miller had a great game and really looks like he could stick with the team for a longer time and be serviceable for the Bruins. Matt Irwin and Adam McQuaid were the only two veterans that were back on the blue line for the Bruins.
Tonight’s three stars have more of a Rangers feel then a Bruins feel. Third star Brett Connolly, he provided all the offense for the Bruins and looked like he might be able to make an impact for the Bruins this season if he is healthy. Second Star Rick Nash, Nash played what really was a complete game for the Rangers; he looked good in his own zone and added the game winning goal for the Rangers.
First Star Henrik Lundqvist, he made 39 saves in the win, and looked like he was in mid-season form. The Bruins will close out the preseason with a game against the Capitals at the Verizon Center on Friday night.
You must be logged in to post a comment.