Twitter:@a_travalgia
From the start of the series, the focus of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been shutting down, or at least, containing the top two lines of the Bruins. After a rough afternoon of doing so in Game 1, it’s been mission accomplished in Game 2 and now in Game 3.
When the Bruins don’t have lines one and two cranking, line three needs to step up to the plate. That has not been mission accomplished.
The Bruins' third line can’t be expected to light the lamp every game, but they can be expected to create chances on offense, and play well enough in their own zone to be thrown out there in any situation.
Through three games, they’ve done neither, nor, have they come close.
What was a bright spot for the Bruins in the regular season has now become a complete mess in their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The production from the Bruins’ third line has been non-existent.
When together, the trio of Danton Heinen, Riley Nash and David Backes have been outshot 16-4 and outscored 2-0.
Of course Bruce Cassidy would love for his third line to chip in offensively, but he would also love to see them defend well.
“A lot of discussion yesterday, the question centered around secondary scoring,… said Cassidy. That matters, but if you’re not bringing that—we’ve talked about this, if you don’t have your A-game, so to speak, bring your B-game, well you need to defend better and that’s where my issue lies. You need to bring something else to the table.…
After the Game 3 loss, and lack of execution from his third line, Cassidy admitted he was concerned with the line and it sounds as if some changes may be coming for Game 4.
“That’s a good question, I am concerned and we always look at we’ve got some guys that weren’t dressed tonight that have played well for this team,… Cassidy said. “So we’ll have that conversation in the morning. I think it’s easier to do it the next morning and not immediately after the game.…
Could he be talking about Ryan Donato?
I personally don’t think Donato is the answer the Bruins are looking for, but at this point, it may be worth a shot. Yes, Donato has shown he can put the puck in the net. But the defensive side of the puck, as well as his smaller frame worries me.
In the 13 games he’s appeared in at the NHL level, Donato has shown that his skillset can make it in this league, especially his quick shot, but there’s still much more that needs to be worked on to round out his game. Down 2-1 in the series with a pretty much must-win on tap in Game 4 may not be the most ideal time for Donato to come in and work on his deficiencies.
The positive:
The Bruins certainly can take one positive out of Game 3, and that’s the play of Tuukka Rask.
The Rask haters will try and tell you something different, but don’t let them fool you. Rask has been the Bruins’ best player in the series. The scores of the Bruins three games with the Lightning are not indicative of Rask’s play, but Rask has done his part and has kept the Bruins in the game. He’s come up with big save after big save and has done his job keeping the Bruins alive when one more goal would put the game out of reach.
The negative:
The Lightning lead the series 2-1 and that’s with just one goal from their top line of JT Miller, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. The lone goal came off of the stick of Steven Stamkos, a empty-net goal to secure the Game 3 victory. It's a matter of when, not if, the Lightning's top line will wake up.
Stat of the night:
Wednesday’s Game 3 victory was only the Lightning’s 9th franchise victory in Boston. Seven have come in the regular season, two in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Up next:
Game 4 Friday night at TD Garden. A game the Bruins can’t afford to lose. Puck drops at 7PM