The Bruins will have to return to Boston for the final game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Boston is trying to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons after being eliminated in seven first-round games over the last two campaigns. The team blew a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers last year and will want to avoid a repeat of the scenario although they refuse to let this history haunt them.
“We don’t live in the past. Nor in the future. We live in the moment,” said head coach Jim Montgomery on the risk of letting another lead slip away. “Right now, we’re not happy with the way we’re playing, but we’re going to prepare for Game 7 immediately. »
Montgomery wasn’t happy with the effort of all his players after his team’s 2-1 loss Thursday and he pointed the finger at David Pastrnak.
“Your best players have to be your best at this time of year. A guy like Brad Marchand gives his all and he made big plays in big moments. Marchand did it, but Pasta has to stand up,” Montgomery said without mincing words about his leading scorer in the regular season, who amassed 110 points.
“He needs to elevate his game. He needs to be the dominant player he once was.” He does this at times, but not consistently. »
Pastrnak had two goals and two assists in the first four games, but was more out of action after that and was held off the scoresheet in the last two games. He received a double minor penalty for high sticking in the second period, but he was able to breathe temporarily after a botched opportunity by the Leafs.
On the other hand, the Bruins as a whole should get off to a much better start in the final match. They recorded their second shot on net after 27 minutes of play, having been dominated 12-1 in this regard at the end of the first period. A start that Montgomery described as unacceptable.
“They were ready from the first time on the ice and we have to be better at that level. We must do much better and pull ourselves together. We are both fighting for our season in the next match,” admitted Marchand.
Montgomery hopes to at least build on the second half of the game where Boston put more pressure and turned dangerously around the net of Joseph Woll, who however closed the door.
