SUNRISE, FLThe Bruins havent lost much over the last three months, and its not something they want to get used to.
After letting up on the gas pedal in the third period and dropping their third game to the lowly Carolina Hurricanes this season, the Bs took the day off on Sunday in Florida. The bitter taste following Saturday nights defeat in Carolina reminded all of the Bs players how much losses arent to be tolerated in their dressing room. Now its up to the Bs to do something they havent had to do much of lately: Rebound from a less-than-laudable effort.
Its kind of been creeping up on us that we havent been at our best, said Adam McQuaid. Last night it reminded us how much we hate losing and what we have to do to be successful. Sometimes that can be a good lesson."
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The Bruins are in the middle of a dense portion of their schedule with seven games in 11 days starting with Saturday nights tilt with the Hurricanes, and perhaps playing every other night is catching up to the Bs. Thats the easiest excuse for letting down in the final 20 minutes against Carolina to kick off a four-game road trip, and the Bs know it wont be easier against a Florida Panthers team in solid playoff position.
There isnt much room between teams in the Eastern Conference at the midpoint of the season, and the Bruins cant afford to start shirking winnable games in the middle of the schedule. The dog days of the NHL regular season are fast approaching, and it at least sounds like the Bruins are handling it the right way.
After the game going to the plane it felt like a Stanley Cup loss. Guys took it to heart and I didnt feel too proud of the outcome of the gameor us not being able to find a way to win, said Tyler Seguin. Sucks that it caught up to us after weve been finding ways to win, but it serves as a pretty good wakeup call.
Actions will speak a lot louder than words when the Bruins take the ice at the BankAtlantic Center against the dangerous Panthers on Monday night.