The Bruins Are Their Own Worst Enemy, Once Again

Maddie Meyer. Getty Images.

The woman was too stunned to speak… The Bruins are their own worst enemy once again and none worse than this blunder with Ullmark behind the net in OT. The Bruins saw the Celtics' finish on Tuesday night and said hold my beer. My god. Matthew Tkachuk buries the garbage goal and there will be a Game 6.

Horrible miscommunication and Game 5/and a chance to end the series slips through their hands. Good grief.

FINAL: Florida 4, Boston 3 (OT)

Okay… now that all of my frustration is out of the way. It's all positive vibes going forward. Deep breath, the Bruins are the better team. Not gonna talk about the late PP opportunity to put the game and the series away, or Marchand coming ohhhh so close at the buzzer. Nope, we're onto Game 6.

That being said here's what I liked and didn't like about tonight…

Patrice Bergeron made his postseason debut and potted his 50th career playoff goal. Lines were in a bit of a blender but for most of the game he reunited with Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, I suspect that'll stay the same in Game 6 unless David Krejci (has been skating on his own) returns.

Need more from 88. He knows it. Everyone knows it. I'm not worried.

Trent Frederic was the odd man out in Bergeron's return. Didn't like that. Thought he's played well and has been so close to converting the last couple of games. Think he deserves to be in over Lauko (2 penalties tonight, 7:32 TOI) and Foligno. I suspect he'll be in for Lauko on Friday night.

Brad Marchand (4 goals this series) and Taylor Hall (5 goals this series) have elevated their games. Marchand's poise and discipline has impressed me the most and no one is hotter right now than Taylor Hall who has goals in 4 straight games.

The Panthers got an absolute gift from Tyler Bertuzzi to open the scoring. Just have to be a little more careful. Those kinds of turnovers have been brutal. Again, Bruins own worst enemy. Chasing the lead all night.

While the Bruins converted on 2 of 5 power plays but the man advantage is certainly not up to par. Seemed to do more harm than good at times, killing momentum. 

Derek Forbort's PK prowess is notable, but I'd lean towarsd Connor Clifton in Game 6. Get some fresh legs. On the flip side, it was by far Brandon Carlo's best game of the series. More of that, please.

Casual 30 minute night for Charlie McAvoy. Had 7 shots himself. Monster all over the ice.

As much as a blunder or whatever you'd like to call it, that was, I'd be shocked to see Jeremy Swayman in Game 6. We ride with Linus.

Onto Game 6.

Positive vibes only. See you Friday night.