In a 4-2 loss to Buffalo on Saturday, the Bruins - who lead the league in goals allowed (2.39) - surrendered 18 giveaways, while a night later in New Jersey they escaped with a 5-3 victory despite several Devils breakaway attempts. But Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said the team's biggest issue has been its defense of plays below the goal line.
"Slot coverage from plays that start below the goal line, communication between our two D and our low forward, generally our centermen, I think we're a little late on who's going," Cassidy explained. "That's been our system that we don't give them too much time in that trapezoid area, so there's certainly those bang-bang low plays.
"Certainly some of those other ones are puck management in the neutral zone. We've just got to get wiser and more responsible. I think that led to some of the rushes…our layers have broken down at times, more so than earlier in the year."
The Bruins won't have it easy on Tuesday night as they welcome the Calgary Flames to TD Garden. The Flames are ranked just 22nd in the league in offense (2.8 goals per game), but boast a potent first line with All-Star Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.
"They're coming off a win against the Islanders, they're going to ride that," said McAvoy. "We're coming off a win, too, that we're gonna try to ride and correct those things. Get back to playing hard and a full 60 minutes the way we want to play it…last couple games we've gotten out of place and given them some Grade A chances, we've got to correct that."
Gaudreau leads the Flames with 66 points (18 goals, 48 assists), while Monahan paces the team with 27 goals.
"I got to play with Johnny last spring [for Team USA at the World Championship], he's one of the most skilled players I've had the privilege to play with," said McAvoy. "Tonight will be my first time playing against him. He's very deceptive with speed and pretty much everything. He goes out there and makes plays regardless of size or weight or anything like that.
"You've got to respect him and try to minimize his time with the puck because he will make plays, both those guys will. We'll try and limit them as much as possible."
