The Canucks problems in Boston continue tonight and it all starts with their defense’s inability to handle the Bruins pressure. While the Canucks are outshooting Boston 24-18 after two periods, the Bruins are capitalizing on all their chances.
It began at 11:11 of the second when Michael Ryder came tearing up the left wing side and let loose with a shot that may or may not have glanced off of Sami Salo’s stick, but regardless of that it’s a shot Roberto Luongo should’ve had as Ryder ripped it over his shoulder to give Boston a 2-0 lead.
Just over two minutes later during a four-on-four after Rich Peverley and Andrew Alberts were sent off for matching penalties, Patrice Bergeron would force Keith Ballard and Kevin Bieksa into a fit of turnovers by their own net and Bergeron would feed Brad Marchand for a killer goal to give Boston a 3-0 lead. Alain Vigneault would call a timeout after that to settle his team down, but the damage has been done.
Vancouver’s defense seemingly can’t help themselves to make bad plays as Boston is bringing the kind of pressure that’s exposing their wont to pinch in to help keep the play alive. The result means the Bruins are getting odd man rushes headed the other way in all situations. Vancouver’s got to figure that out or else they could be toast the rest of the night and perhaps the rest of the series.
Now we’ll wonder how the Canucks respond in the third period. Do they suck up some pride and fight back (the right way) or do they roll over the way they did in Game 3 and just let Boston do what they want.