The challenge of finishing games is not only a Bruins-specific problem, but rather a problem that affects many teams across the league.
During a game where the Bruins almost lost a three-goal lead in the third period, the Toronto Maple Leafs also lost a three-goal advantage and the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout. In recent weeks, teams believed to be contenders like the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes have also lost three-goal leads.
This does not mean that what almost happened at the Garden is acceptable, and the Bruins should continue trying to fix a problem that has troubled them off and on all season. However, in the nearly catastrophic 6-5 win over a desperate Flyers team, there was a glimmer of hope and something that the Bruins might be able to build on.
In the last 1:30 of the game, with all the momentum on Philly’s side and their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, the Bruins were able to hold them off with solid team defense and relied on the five skaters more than Jeremy Swayman to close it out.
The Bruins won three faceoffs during that time and were able to keep pucks away from the goalie for the most part. It would have been nice to seal the win with an empty-netter, but it's a start.
“I did like the last 90 seconds,” said coach Jim Montgomery. “I thought we didn’t give up anything. We got pucks out. We didn’t allow them to come at us with speed like we did on their fourth goal when we didn’t cover speed in the neutral zone. We’d rather the defensemen handle the puck and we get over the top of speed because those are the guys that are dangerous, the guys away from the puck when the defenseman has it at his own blue line.”
Montgomery also finds value in going through these tense late-game situations, whether they survive them or learn a hard lesson.
“Last year, nothing happened. Then it happened in the playoffs and we didn’t handle it well. This hopefully prepares you for those moments,” said Montgomery.
Another positive from Saturday’s win is that they may have found another player they can rely on in close-out and defensive situations. Andrew Peeke played 19:31, 2:54 of which was on the penalty kill, and he recorded game highs in blocks (4) and hits (5). He was also on the ice when the final horn sounded.
“He had a great shot block at the end of the first on the power play on a one-timer, so he’s got plenty of courage,” said Montgomery. “His gaps are really good. He’s right in people’s faces. He’s not afraid of confrontational areas, and that’s at the net front, in corners, at the blue line. And then I thought he’s really supporting the play pretty well for someone who’s new to our team. Besides the goal (he assisted on), he’s out there for the 4-on-4 situation (that eventually led to Charlie Coyle’s second goal of the game) and he showed a lot of poise.”
Acquired at the deadline from Columbus, the 26-year-old Peeke has two more years left on his contract with a cap hit of $2.75 million, so the Bruins see him as more than just another body to help down the stretch.
However, even though the club got the right-handed defenseman thinking about the future, he has already shown in just two games that he could be helpful for the present.
The fact that he was depended on on Saturday boosted Peeke’s mindset.
Peeke stated that being in critical situations is great. Being trusted in a situation like that obviously builds confidence. Helping out in those situations is part of who he is as a player, so it's great.
While the Blue Jackets had played a defense system similar to the Bruins', Peeke said there are still things to learn.
Peeke said that there's something new every day. In practice, you can only do so much when it comes to game situations. Once you get those game reps in, something comes up, whether it's each shift or every other shift… I feel like each shift I've been progressing better and understanding the system better.
Getting ready for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in his five-year pro career can be very beneficial for a player's outlook.
Montgomery noticed that Peeke seems to be enjoying himself and soaking in a lot. The opportunity to play in the playoffs and be on a team that's one of the top teams in the league is really exciting for him.
Loose pucks
The third pairing of Parker Wotherspoon and Peeke has played well, which raises a question. If rookie Mason Lohrei is squeezed out of playing time at the NHL level, could he be returned to Providence to get playing time?
Montgomery said, 'To be honest, I haven't had that direct conversation with (GM Don Sweeney), but I think he's here for the rest of the year. It gives us a lot of latitude with what we can throw out there on the D corps. But I haven't had that conversation.'
As for the goalie deployment, Montgomery wouldn't commit to anything down the stretch but reiterated he's comfortable with the rotation.
Competition for Game 1 starter is heating up all of a sudden. Swayman, who seemed to have the inside track with his play all season, has allowed nine goals in his last two starts after back-to-back one-goal performances against Toronto.
Montgomery isn't excessively concerned about the goalie he calls “Bulldog.”
Montgomery stated, “It's not a concern, but we need (Swayman) to get back to the form that he was at. Some of that is our team defense and some of it is the schedule and the way it happens. But he's probably six to seven starts away from starting the playoffs, him and Linus, hopefully to get sharp for it.”
