Bruins look to atone after blowout loss

The Bruins may be on to Washington, but they can’t completely close the book on Tuesday night’s debacle against the Carolina Hurricanes until they drop the puck on Thursday against the Capitals and the uncharacteristic indifference they showed in the 7-1 drubbing by the Canes is expunged.

The B’s 45-minute practice at Warrior Ice arena on Wednesday consisted mostly of 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills, a little something to get the competitive blood flowing after it somehow congealed on Tuesday.

“It’s about the execution and the pace. That’s the first thing you’re looking for after a night like (Tuesday),” said captain Patrice Bergeron after the session. “Obviously you have to make sure you have the energy. At times you have to flush it out and you have to look at what you could do better. And as I said, it was the execution, it was the pace that was missing. A lot.”

The lopsided loss came after what felt like the B’s best win of the season, a rock ’em, sock ’em affair against the Nashville Predators that featured 91 hits split almost perfectly down the middle (Nashville had 46 to the B’s 45).

Asked if there were any residual effects from that thump-fest that may have showed up in Tuesday’s performance, coach Bruce Cassidy pointed out the B’s had two off days on top of the fact that the Nashville game was a matinee, which should have provided ample time for recovery.

Cassidy also pointed out that, after the Nashville game, there were a few players in the trainer’s room. Not so after Tuesday’s affair.

“It’s probably a direct result in how we played,” said the coach.

As Cassidy said on Saturday, it hurts to win.

The B’s lost their checks in the first period and got caught in deep on the forecheck. But Cassidy felt the bigger problem was not X-and-O related.

“There were definitely some structural issues, don’t get me wrong. But I thought the major reason was they were just faster, heavier on pucks, more competitive in the scoring areas than us,” said Cassidy. “So let’s start with that and get back playing harder and then fix things in between games. It’s not like we need a three-day revisit with things. We did that earlier and I thought it worked out well for us. We have to correct some structural things, but let’s get our compete level back up, let’s get back to winning races, winning puck battles and we’ll see what happens.”

The way Bergeron looked at it, there are peaks and valleys in a season and when you’re at the peak, it’s no secret to anyone in the league. You become a marked team. And after winning eight of nine games, the B’s had caught teams’ attention. The Hurricanes were certainly aware. And after the B’s embarrassed the Caps on home ice last week in a 7-3 win, Washington — though they will be missing Conor Sheary and John Carlson (COVID protocol) and Dmitry Orlov (suspension) — should be ready to battle as well.

“We were on a roll and playing good hockey. When you start doing that, the league takes notice and teams are ready for you. I think that’s the next step we have to learn,” said Bergeron. “You want to build something and keep getting better and climbing and getting back up in the standings. When you do that, teams are waiting for you and you have to be ready to win with your B and sometimes your C game. You have to find ways. That’s the learning thing that can come out of last night.”

If Cassidy wanted to shake up the lineup, he’s limited right now. Trent Frederic and John Moore are still out with upper body injuries and Mike Reilly is in COVID protocol. The extra forward right is Nick Foligno, who is working his way back from an apparent knee injury and was termed a game-time decision. If he’s deemed ready, it would seem the most likely candidates would be either of the third line wings, Oskar Steen (minus-3 in Tuesday) or Jake DeBrusk (minus-2).

But as much as he wants to get Foligno back in the lineup, Cassidy also does not want to dump everything that happened Tuesday in one player’s lap.

“We do have to get (Foligno) back up to speed. He’s a bigger body where we obviously miss him in games like (Tuesday) night. Nashville, we got through it, but those are games where those guys have more value,” said Cassidy, who plans to start Linus Ullmark against Washington.

“On the back end, (Ty) Lewington did a good job for us, but again, we’ve had other guys who have been here. We’re trying to get (Urho Vaakanainen) more integrated into the team. I thought he’s earned his spot. If it becomes a trend, yes, we’d have to move some pieces around. But most of the time, I think any player would like the opportunity to say ‘Hey, it wasn’t my best. Let me get back out there.’ And that’s how it will probably shake out.”

Schedule reset

All of a sudden, the Bruins’ February schedule is a lot busier with the Olympics no longer in the picture.

New home dates will be Feb. 8 vs Pittsburgh (rescheduled from Dec. 27); Feb. 10 vs. Carolina (rescheduled from Dec. 21) and Feb. 21 vs. Colorado in a Presidents Day matinee (rescheduled from Dec. 23).

The road slate will also feature a couple of games taken from March and April to fill in the February schedule. The new road slate will be Feb. 12 at Ottawa (from Dec. 29); Feb. 15 at New York Rangers (from April 24); Feb. 17 at New York Islanders (from March 22); and Feb. 19 at Ottawa (from Dec. 19). The two road dates in Montreal have been rescheduled for March 21 and April 24.