The Boston Bruins made their way to Montreal in need of a statement against their direct competition for the Northeast title in 2013.

Since the Bruins' first win against the Canadiens, a 2-1 victory at the Bell Centre back on Feb. 6, the Black-and-Gold have been simply crushed by the Habs. OK, maybe not on the scoreboard no, but there's no denying the Canadiens' psychological edge over Boston in this lockout-shortened year. In two meetings last month, both played in Boston, the Habs stormed back with three period rallies, and ultimately won, much to the chagrin of B's netminder Tuukka Rask.

But in last night's season-series finale between the two, the 26-year-old Rask was anything but the problem. And honestly, I don't even know where to begin with it all.

Why... is Matt Bartkowski still playing?

The NHL trade deadline is over, so the idea of showcasing the 24-year-old blue-liner is out the window. The Bruins are now in the business of winning games, and Bartkowski's presence on the ice makes such a business difficult. I know that he has 'upside' and 'potential', but I also know that he's been an absolute disaster in just six games this year.

Botching a clearing attempt that led to the Habs' first goal, a play that also ended with Bartkowski down on his knees in the crease with the puck going through his legs as well, the pairing of Matt Bartkowski and Johnny Boychuk was simply unsightly last night, and it's furthering the belief that this guy is simply not an NHL capable defensemen.

Is that an indictment against him? No, not really, but it's the truth.

Despite his lack of practice with the squad, newly acquired depth defensemen Wade Redden should've been out there last night. Period. However, of not him, why not Torey Krug, who despite his alleged defensive inefficiencies (we wouldn't know that 'cause we've only seen him once this season), has recorded 37 points this year for the Providence Bruins, a club record for a rookie defensemen.

Why... Is Jaromir Jagr on the fourth line?

Boston coach Claude Julien's love of his fourth line has been well documented. Bruins fans' new found love of Jaromir Jagr has also been well documented. So, maybe Julien decided to have a meeting of the hearts when he decided to put Jagr with Gregory Campbell and Danny Paille for last night's game.

That's literally the only explanation I possibly have for such a dumb decision.

The problem: The Bruins need goals. The variable: Jaromir Jagr. Not the solution: Putting Jaromir Jagr with two guys that have combined for 19 points in 2013.

While obviously not their best game this past Thursday night, the 41-year-old Jagr skating with the duo of Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin seemed to have promise, but was abandoned after just one game. So, where does Jagr go? To the Krejci line? No. To the Peverley line? No. He goes all the way down to the fourth line.

Of course, you could say that the Bruins treated this line as their third line, essentially eliminating wingers Kaspars Daugavins, Jay Pandolfo, and Shawn Thornton from their rotation beyond the half-point of the night, but it's still completely nonsensical. Jaromir Jagr, with 670 goals and 1,000 assists in his career, is a skill guy. He's not Mark Recchi in the sense that adjusted his game over time to become more of a multi-purpose guy.

Jagr can still score, with his 15 goals on the year more than any B's forward, and the Bruins put him at a disadvantage last night by sticking him with two meat-and-potatoes players.

Awful.

Why is... Julien so reluctant to put Jagr with David Krejci?

This was merely my idea, yes, but the main reason why I thought the Bruins should've acquired Jaromir Jagr was to put him with the Bruins' first line center, David Krejci. You'd want to put the team's best passer with a legitimate finisher, no? I guess not.

Through two games, Claude Julien has been downright terrified of putting No. 46 with Jagr, and he may simply be refusing to do it. But why? I just don't get it.

Why is... the offense not taking shots?

Boston finished last night's dejecting loss to Montreal with just 27 shots on net. 14 of them came from their defensemen while just thirteen came from their 12 forwards. Campbell led the 12-piece with three shots on the night, while Paille, Daugavins (Daugavins!), and Horton had two each. That's a nightmare.

Why is... the power-play not taking a single shot with a 6-on-4 advantage?

Here's what is most befuddling and downright disgusting to all involved: The Bruins get a gift of a power-play last night when Zdeno Chara undeniably flops on a jersey pull from the Habs' Lars Eller, giving them a 6-on-4 advantage for the final 50 seconds of a third period that needed the Black-and-Gold to find the equalizer.

The Bruins loaded up; They put Chara, Marchand, Horton, Lucic, Krejci, and Jagr out. The results? Not a single shot. Not a single shot! Not even an accidental one!

Inexcusable. Unless you asked center David Krejci. "[Expletive ice," the top-liner said after the game. No, David, not the [expletive] ice. The [expletive] players. The ice wasn't an issue when you completely an ungodly number of passes during the power-play, and it wasn't an issue when you skated off as the loser to Montreal once again.

Don't. Blame. The. Ice.

Up next...

The Bruins head back to Boston for a Monday night showing with the Carolina Hurricanes. Boston won the previous meeting between these two earlier this year, and should absolutely run train over a Carolina club without the services of noted B's killer Cam Ward. If not, oh man, we could have a meltdown from this club.

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