Bruins look to bounce back after three-game skid
The Boston Bruins are looking to come back to life tomorrow night against the San Jose Sharks after losing their last three games.
On Nov. 24, the Bruins fell to the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2. On Nov. 25, they suffered their worst loss of the season so far, 7-4, against the New York Rangers. On Nov. 27, they lost, 5-2, versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This is the first time the B’s have lost three consecutive games since April 2022. The losing streak is also the first time the Bruins have allowed five or more goals in three straight games since 2012.
“It gets back to checking,” Head Coach Jim Montgomery told the press after today’s practice. “I think we’ve been an easy team to play against. It’s not just the last three games; it’s probably the last six to seven.”
Montgomery was honest when discussing the team’s struggles as of late.
“We’re hoping to grow out of this,” Montgomery said. “It’s about moving forward. In a lot of ways, we’ve welcomed this kind of adversity. We knew it was going to come. We knew we weren’t a 14-1-3 team, and that’s just being honest. We’re also not a team that gives up 17 goals in three games. We got to get back to who we are, and we’ve got to continue to grow as a team throughout the year.”
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy stressed the importance of welcoming adversity.
“This is a bit of a change of pace in here,” McAvoy told reporters. “You get used to winning so much that the losses hurt. They feel a lot different than maybe how they used to feel when they’re so few and far between. But overall, adversity is good. We’re going to learn a lot more about ourselves with this as the season progresses.”
In the game against the Blue Jackets Monday night, goalie Jeremy Swayman was pulled after just 26:14 in the goal. He made 17 saves before being replaced by Linus Ullmark.
“He’s our head coach, and we trust everything that he’s gonna do,” Swayman told the media. “Whatever it takes for the team to win. I know that I’m going to take the positives and roll with it and move forward like I always do.”
Even with a 62-12-5 record last year, Swayman believes the team faced some challenges in a way that others might not think about.
“Even last year, it didn’t seem like we did [face adversity],” Swayman said. “At the same time, if you’re top dog for that long, there is adversity because everyone gives you their best game. That’s a challenge that we embraced, and that’s kind of what we’re facing again this year, which is great.”
The B’s will face the San Jose Sharks at home on Thursday, Nov. 30. They lead the regular season series, 1-0. The previous matchup was a 3-1 win on Oct. 19.
Puck drop from TD Garden is set for 7 p.m. ET.
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