The Boston Bruins had a chance to improve their record against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday afternoon.
Instead, they failed to get anything going during the game and got shut out for the second time this season. But it wasn't for a lack of chances.
Highlights: Bruins blanked by Scott Wedgewood, Devils
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"We had enough looks around the net to generate a couple goals tonight," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said after the game, per NHL.com's Eric Russo. "I think a lot of pucks hit [Devils goalie Scott Wedgewood]. I think he made some big saves, obviously, especially in the third period. I think we did a little better job attacking with our forward group against their D as the game went on.
"We just didn't finish anything. You're not gonna win if you don't put some goals on the board."
Indeed, the Bruins had plenty of opportunities to score. David Pastrnak had 10 shots on goal during the contest, and that helped the B's to outshoot the Devils in convincing fashion.
Despite the Bruins' best efforts, Scott Wedgewood had what was, by far, his best game of the season. He made 40 saves, the third-highest mark of his career, and upped his season save percentage from .901 to .922. He also recorded his second shutout of the season after having just two career shutouts coming into the year.
Boston Bruins
But the Bruins aren't using Wedgewood's strong performance as an excuse for their loss. They're giving him credit, but they're also blaming themselves for not being able to compete with the Devils throughout the season.
"It's our job to get up and come ready to play and bring our energy for this one, especially against a team who's not up in there in the standings, but they've had our number this year," Charlie Coyle said. "There's been a few games against them where for some reason or another we're not ready from the start, I guess. We have to be."
The Bruins have been outscored 9-6 by the Devils this year and hold a 1-2-1 record against them. Their only win came in a shootout in the team's season opener, so it's easy to understand why Coyle was frustrated by the team's performance.
Needless to say, that will be their goal on Tuesday night when they square off against the New York Islanders. Much like their efforts against the Devils, the B's have had trouble against the Islanders this year. They are 0-3-0 against them and have been outscored 12-4 in those contests.
If the B's going to win and earn Tuukka Rask his 300th career win (provided that he starts between the pipes), they're going to have to start strong.
And that will involve finding the back of the net early against a stingy Islanders defense that is allowing the third-fewest goals per game this season (2.2).