Sluggish Starts A Problem for the Bruins
We're only two games into the Boston Bruin's season, but two things are really sticking out as problems already. It looks like this is going to be another frustrating year of inconsistency. Who knows which Bruins team is going to show up? The team that puts up 6 goals on the Blue Jackets, or the team that doesn't show up and gets blown out by the Maple Leafs? Consistency was a huge issue last season, and it cost the Bruins a playoff spot. Unfortunately it seems like it's going to be a problem again.
An even bigger issue this year, however, has been the Bruin's sluggish starts. Hopefully this is not an issue that persists the entire season, because if it does, the Bruins are not going to win many games. There's an old saying that "you can't win the game in the first period, but you sure can lose it." Well that's exactly what the Bruins did in Toronto. They lost the game in the first period.
It wasn't just the Toronto game either, the Bruins were terrible in the first period against Columbus. It was the first game of the season. How can you not be jacked up for that game? Boston should have come out guns blazing and hitting everything in site. Instead, they had a terrible opening period and found themselves down 2-0 at the first intermission. Lucky for them, the first line caught on fire in the second and third periods, and the Bruins came back to win 6-3. That's not going to happen every game though, and it's not going to happen against good teams. Boston cannot rely on one line getting hot, and they cannot rely on making huge comebacks every game. They need to be ready to play from the drop of the puck.
Last night in Toronto, they were not ready to play at the drop of the puck, or really at any point during the game. They had another disastrous first period, and were down 3-1 at the first intermission. There was no catching fire in Toronto, and there was no comeback. Boston lost the game 4-1 in what was a pretty pathetic performance. So now through two games, the Bruins have had terrible starts in both of them. They simply aren't showing up to play.
I don't know how these guys can consistently not show up ready to play. The Bruins know they are a borderline playoff team and need as many points as possible to ensure a playoff spot. They can't afford to give games away, but that's exactly what they did in Toronto. Something needs to change to get the boys going for these games. Whether it's dropping the gloves early in the game or starting the fourth line, the Bruins need to do something to get going early.
I think they should put a grind line together just to start the game. I'd open the game with Noel Acciari centering Matt Beleskey and David Backes. This line would not stay together, just take the first shift. All three of those guys love hitting and aren't afraid to throw their weight around. Put these guys out to start the game and let them hit everything in site. That should get everybody jacked up, and energize the building. Hockey is supposed to be a physical and emotional game. Slow and lethargic starts don't cut it in this sport. Starting a grind line would get the building rocking right off the bat, and energize the bench, getting everyone into the game. It's unfortunate how boring and emotionless the NHL has become, but that's a story for another time. Whether the league wants to admit it or not, fans still love big hits and fights. Hockey is best when it's intense and violent. That gets fans and players alike emotionally invested in the game. Starting three bruisers to go out there and hit, and maybe even drop the gloves could be cure for the Bruin's sleepy starts. At least give it a chance and see if it wakes the guys up. A loud building and energized bench will do the Bruin's a lot of good. They have the talent to win a lot of games, but they need a full 60 minutes of strong play. If they can fix the sluggish starts, they very well could be a playoff team this year.
