Bruins Drop Opener of Road Trip in Vancouver

VANCOUVER -Patrice Bergeron notched the tying goal on a two-man advantage in the third period, but the Bruins fell to the Vancouver Canucks, 2-1, in a shootout on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena. Here are some news items and notes from the setback in the opener of Boston's three-game swing through Western Canada:

PASSING IT UP:Unlike the Patriots' approach in Buffalo on Monday night, the Bruins were more than willing to pass against the Canucks, which proved to be a detriment for much of the evening. Boston did land 36 shots on Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko, but assistant coach Joe Sacco said after the game that the B's passed up too many opportunities.
"Would like to see us play off the shot a little bit more at times. Some of that has to go to [Vancouver's] credit as well; they defended hard," said Sacco, who once again filled in for Bruce Cassidy (COVID-19 protocol) behind the bench.
The lack of a shot-first mentality has hampered the Bruins for much of the season and has certainly been a contributing factor in their offensive struggles over the past four games (1-1-2), a span in which they have failed to score more than two goals in any of the contests.
"You just have to stick with it," said Sacco. "Frustration can settle in easily on a group. What we'd like to see from our group is start shooting the puck a little bit more at certain times during the game. There's certain times where we pass up on shots.
"As far as our group not scoring, it's an issue that we focus on, and we want to make sure they stick with it and don't get frustrated. Usually, good players will find a way to score if they keep putting pucks on the net, their scoring will come."
When the Bruins did generate chances against the Canucks, they were good ones. Oskar Steen rang a wrister off the post during a 2-on-1 in the first period, Charlie McAvoy clanked a shot off the cross bar in the second, and Erik Haula had a breakaway goal wiped off the board later in the middle frame after Vancouver challenged successfully for offside.
"I think we had some pretty good looks," said Bergeron. "To me, especially early on, we weren't really taking the shots. I think we missed on too many opportunities to really shoot and bring it on net, create some havoc. Every time we did that, I felt like there was a rebound, there was a loose puck and sustained pressure."

BUBBLE BERGY:Bergeron potted Boston's lone goal of the evening when he tied things, 1-1, at 4:51 of the third during a 5-on-3 advantage. The B's captain, planted in his normal bumper position, tipped home a David Pastrnak slapper from the top of the circle for his ninth goal of the season.
"Obviously Pasta's got that shot where the D need to be in the shooting lane," said Bergeron. "I think it usually opens up a bit of a passing lane for a shot-tip, especially 5-on-3, and we try to use that to our advantage more often than not. We talked about it before the face-off on that play that it should be there."
Bergeron was donning a "fish bowl" after suffering a broken nose against Nashville last week. It was the first time in the centerman's career that he could recall donning a full cage on his helmet, despite it being the sixth or seventh time he has suffered a broken nose.
"Hated it, to be honest with you," Bergeron said of the face shield, which the B's medical staff has recommended he wear for a couple of weeks. "First time doing that, I think, in my career, so definitely an adjustment, not gonna lie. Peripheral vision, there's play where the puck is close by your feet, it's tough to track. An adjustment, got to get used to it."

STANDING HIS GROUND:Jeremy Swayman put forth yet another strong effort in his third consecutive start. The rookie netminder made 31 saves on 32 shots but surrendered two goals on three attempts in the shootout with both J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat utilizing slow and deliberate approaches in the second and third rounds, respectively.
"It's exactly what you want them to do, let him make the first move," said Swayman. "Looking back at it, I got a little deep, probably want to challenge the shooter a little more."
Nevertheless, Swayman - despite a 1-0-2 record in his last three - believes he has made significant strides with his game in recent weeks.
"The main thing was just staying in the moment, not worrying about last year, not worried about this year, just making sure I'm doing whatever I can to help the team in the current game," he said. "There's a big difference from the start to now and I'm happy with it and going to continue that."
MARCHAND RETURNS:Brad Marchand was back in the lineup after sitting out the last three games to serve his suspension for slew-footing. The winger landed four shots on goal to go along with three blocks, a hit, and an interference penalty in a season-high 23:19 of ice time.
"He played a lot. He probably played too much," said Sacco. "I probably got him out there a little too much tonight - we had the three power plays in the third and the overtime. His game is fine. He always works hard, he's generating. I'm fine with Marchy's game tonight, I thought he was good."
SWITCHING IT UP:Heading into the third period, the Bruins' second line of Taylor Hall, Charlie Coyle, and Craig Smith did not have a shot on goal between them. As such, Sacco opted to switch things up and promote Haula, who had clicked well with Coyle and Smith while Hall subbed in for Marchand on Boston's top line during the winger's suspension.
"We tried to get Haula back there and generate," said Sacco. "That line was playing well the last couple games. Just to change it up. We needed to do something from the offensive side of our group."
Sacco went on to note that there could be some changes to the lineup on Thursday night in Edmonton.
"We'll look at our lineup, we'll make sure everyone's healthy and re-evaluate in the morning," said Sacco. "There may be a couple of changes here and there. Something we'll talk about and discuss as a group [Thursday] morning."