Brad Marchand had just scored to cut the Penguins lead to one, giving the Bruins life for the first time.
Almost two minutes later, all that life the Bruins had just created quickly got sucked out of TD Garden with Jason Zucker’s answering goal.
It was a play that began with David Pastrnak’s neutral zone turnover.
Pastrnak’s puck management was one of several blemishes on another ugly night at TD Garden for the Bruins as they fell to the Penguins 4-1.
Mike Matheson blew past Jeremy Lauzon for a goal, making it look like Lauzon was stuck in quicksand as he skated by. And Connor Clifton was very noticeable Thursday, and not in a good way. He was a turnover machine and seemed a step behind the play more often than not.
It was the second game in a row where the young Bruins d-core showed their age, creating much cause for concern.
But as frustrating as it was to watch for Bruins fan, head coach Bruce Cassidy felt a little differently than you probably did.
Cassidy has talked at length about how when you roll out young, inexperienced players you need to live with the ups and downs that are going to come with it.
While the Bruins rode the waves of their early season ups, they’re certainly riding the waves of the mid-season downs.
With Cassidy and the coaching staff expecting miscues from the younger players, he does not expect the same from his veteran players, such as Pastrnak.
Cassidy didn’t call Pastrnak out by name following the loss, but reading between the lines, it was pretty clear Pastrnak was the target of his disappointment.
Pastrnak has just one point (assist) in his last five games.
“I’m not frustrated with those guys. I’m disappointed that they don’t recognize the value of the puck and where we are in the game and they haven’t stepped up a little more,” said Cassidy.
“They know what’s at stake. They’ve been to Stanley Cup Finals, so they know the way the game is played. They just need to respect it and play that way.”
All-around it was an ugly night for the Bruins who were forced to play shorthanded on multiple occasions as Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk and Lauzon all left the ice at some point during the loss.
Carlo did not return.
"Upper body, that's all I got," said Cassidy. "He (Carlo) left and never came back, so that's never a good sign. [Lauzon] got cut, got stitched up and came back. [Grzelcyk] took [a puck] in the head, they all came back, so that was positive. [Carlo] did not.”
Carlo was at the rink Friday morning but will not play Saturday in the Bruins rematch with the Penguins. Cassidy lists him as day-to-day.
Tuukka Rask remains day-to-day as Daniel Vladar made his third start. Despite the three goals allowed, Vladar was once again solid in net, giving the Bruins a chance.
“He’s played well, thought he held us in the game early,” Cassidy said of Vladar. “Certainly has given us a chance to win every game he’s played and has won two of them.”
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