Interesting comments from Bruce Boudreau following last night's 5-3 loss in Boston.
It was obvious by the look on Boudreau's face just how disgusted he was with his team's effort or lack there of during the second period. He stood speechless with a glare in his eyes that looked as though he was about to explode.
Rightfully so with this team right now, and not just about last night. This Wild team is developing the same awful habits of Wild teams of the past. Too many times they just go through the motions and hope that is good enough to win.
This just in.....
IT"S NOT!!! and IT NEVER WILL BE!!! This is the NHL, not some beer league people.
We have all heard that it is just game 1, 3, 7, 13.... but when does it change?
Chuck Fletcher has painted himself into a corner here with the contract situation and really has very little to no wiggle room to get his team going. The players realize this and they are playing like their jobs are safe. Never a good sign for any professional team.
Boudreau has no ability to bench or scratch a player, to send a message.
After the game Boudreau called the effort the most embarrassing he has been a part of in his career. He went on to single out some of his players. Nino Niederreiter was one that caught the coach's ire when he didn't take his man on the third Bruins goal. He didn't mention Dubnyk by name, but made it quite clear that his goaltender needs to make some saves.
There was a lot of "lack of effort" going on with the Wild last night. The penalty that Eric Staal, took at the end of the first period, which was deemed a "good penalty" by the TV crew, because it potentially nullified a great scoring chance. Well if Staal had been working and backchecking harder realizing the time left on the clock, that scenario would not have presented itself in the first place.
The second Bruins goal was one that every goalie in the NHL not allow, ever. Enough said there.
The third Bruin goal was a team effort of lackluster play. Mike Reilly went down deep in the offensive zone was hit and lost control of the puck. Fine, as a defenseman, the thought should be oh no, I better get back to the d zone as fast as I can.
Not Mike Reilly, who took a couple hard strides but once he left the Bruins zone he coasted between the bluelines and was nowhere to be found Sean Kuraly grabbed the second rebound and put it into the gaping Wild goal.
It is getting very old hearing it is early, it is one game. Yes it is early and no it's now 6 games in the loss department. Far too many at this juncture of the season.