Not quite the Night to Remember for Bruins

A visiting team entering an opponent’s house on a ceremonial night is in for an emotional contest.  Last night, the Bruin’s encountered a century’s worth of fight in an energized Habs team and crowd. Distractions–and Edwardisms–were aplenty, as the Bruins had to wait just a little bit longer for the drop of the puck then usual. But  it didn’t take long for Carey Price to cement himself  between the pipes.

They call him Carey “Jesus” Price, but he’s been carying an under .500 record (7-10-2 heading into last night). Last night however, he conjured up saves of the highlight variety.  His game may have not been biblical, but it was grandious.  That jersey, starched after a century of service, and those pads, sleek and leathery, turned into a stone wall that, save for a redemptive deflection, nearly earned their owner the shut out.  Sure, Cammalleri may have cashed in with the hat trick, but Price kept his team in the hunt early on, especially with his team down by two on the penalty kill.

For the Bruins, what can one do? A pulled Thomas wasn’t necessarily at fault, but could have been better, and the Bruins failed to assert themselves on special teams–a huge black eye indeed. Timid, dispirited, and often a bit behind the play for a lot of the night, their effort always seemed to be silhouetted by something else, and while not palpable, it hung over the ice all night as if swinging from the rafters.  They had their chances, and now the only lingering question is the discipline Plekanec might receive for his butt-ending of David Krejci.

The Bruins get right back on the ice, which could be what this team needs after such a loss. Tonight, the Kessel watch ends in earnest, as the Maple Leafs roll into town for a unique Away and…away? Back to back games at home for the Bruins against the Maple Leafs, and it could be the perfect tonic to vanquish the hiccup that was Montreal’s centennial bash.