The Bruins jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead against the Penguins Tuesday night on a pair of David Pastrnak goals, things were looking good to start.
Then, well, the Bruins night and likely the road ahead got flipped upside down.
First came the report by The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa that the Bruins do not expect Tuukka Rask to return, ending his National Hockey League career.
I touched on this a bit this morning, but nonetheless, still a surprising development coming this quickly.
“I think that’s for Tuukka to comment on his stature,… head coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I was told he wouldn’t practice this week, that’s not changing at all. If he has something to say, I think I’ll leave it to him."
Next, it was a second period that saw the Penguins score three times on a pair of Danton Heinen tallies, and a Sidney Crosby power play strike, taking the wind out of the Bruins sails.
Unfortunately, the defensive breakdowns a blown lead was the least of the Bruins concerns.
The night took a complete nose dive after Patrice Bergeron fell awkwardly into the boards after a collision with Crosby and did not return. Given Bergeron’s lengthy history with concussions, obviously this a concern.
“Upper-body, I don’t know if the concussion guy took him out the way he went into the boards,… said Cassidy. “I wouldn’t be surprised, when you’re down like that it’s typically what happens. I didn’t speak to him, he didn’t come back. I went into the trainer’s room and he wasn’t there, that’s about all I got for right now, hopefully, he’s ok.…
Hopefully Bergeron’s absence is nothing more than the concussion spotter pulling Bergeron from the game as Cassidy alluded to. I’m sure he’ll have more of an update on Bergeron Wednesday morning.
Without Bergeron, the Bruins had their chances to tie the game, but Tristan Jarry made some big saves, especially in the third period, stopping 41 shots in total. Bryan Rust’s empty-net goal sealed the win for the Penguins. However, the game failed to end without some late dramatics, centered around Jarry and Brad Marchand.
Earlier in the evening Jarry and Marchand had their issues when Marchand took a puck for Jarry, one that appeared to be heading towards a Penguins fan in the stands.
Brad Marchand didn't let Tristan Jarry give a puck to a Pens fan in Boston 😂 pic.twitter.com/9U2VlSACqS
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 9, 2022
As for the late game dramatics, after Jarry made a nice glove save on Marchand with less than a minute to go, it appears Jarry had something to say to Marchand,—likely about the earlier incident—prompting Marchand to take a swing of his fist at Jarry and seconds later a swing of his stick.
“I don’t know, that happened quick. Honestly, lack of discipline on Brad’s part in that situation,… said Cassidy.
“I just watched the replay again and it looks like some words were exchanged, I don’t know if there was an incident in the second period that precipitated that, I was in the room, someone said that. Gotta have better discipline at the end of the day. Brad is a leader on our team and he needs to control his emotions in that situation.…
Marchand was issued a match penalty and is likely going to face a suspension.
This isn't good from Marchand in the final minute of the game. Punch + stick swing on Jarry pic.twitter.com/yrq9Ek8o4i
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 9, 2022
Regardless of what Jarry said to Marchand, just complete stupidity on his end. With a tough stretch of games ahead, the Bruins can’t afford to lose Marchand and Bergeron for any extended period of time.