'Ugly' Second Period Sinks Bruins in 5-0 Loss to Wild

BOSTON- Things seemed to be going fairly well for the Bruins through the first period-plus Tuesday night. The Black & Gold were playing solid defensively, having held Minnesota to just eight shots on goal in the opening frame.
But for the second consecutive game, things fell apart quickly in the second period. Boston allowed four goals in the frame en route to a 5-0 loss to the Wild at TD Garden. It was the Bruins second straight loss (they allowed two goals to Montreal in the second on Saturday).

"We talked about being a strong defensive team, we did that in the first," said Patrice Bergeron. "The second was ugly."
Once the Wild got on the board, the Bruins weren't able to slow things down. Weymouth native Charlie Coyle started things at 5:07 of the second when he whipped one on net from the slot. Just 12 seconds later, Chris Stewart scored on a one-timer from nearly the same spot.
"We give up two quick goals in that period that just deflated us at that point," said Bruins coach Claude Julien. "They're taking momentum out of our hockey club and we've had some decent starts we haven't been rewarded for.
"We haven't scored first now in six games, so you're playing that kind of a game and the minute you give up a goal you're playing from behind."
Julien said the defensive issues in front of the net start with being more responsible without the puck.
"I think we need to be much better without the puck and respecting that part of our game a little bit better," said Julien. "The mistakes, or the lack of coverage, or not being in the right place right now is doing a lot of damage to our game and it's hurtful at the end because you end up with this kind of a result."
Ryan Suter's goal midway through the second - and just five seconds into a Minnesota power play - chased Malcolm Subban (13 saves) from the game. The 22-year-old was playing his second career NHL game with Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin both sidelined by injuries.
Zane McIntyre replaced Subban and made 15 saves in his NHL debut.
"Whoever is in net, it's going to be hard if you give them easy shots and dangerous slots," said Bergeron. "Obviously, it's a team game, it's about everyone. They are not to blame tonight."
The Bruins landed 27 shots on goal, but struggled once again to find offense and were shutout for the first time this season. Boston has scored four goals in the last three games.
"Everything on this team starts with the defensive zone," said David Krejci. "If you can't get out of there clean, then it's hard to do something. So it's up to us, especially forwards, to take care of the slot. Our D's do the best they can, but they need help from the other three forwards. When we play well, that's what we do."

McIntyre Makes NHL Debut

It was not the ideal way to make his NHL debut, McIntyre is well aware of that, but he is hoping the period-plus of action he saw Tuesday night will bode well for his future.
"I got a little taste of it here now and I think it's good to get that experience," said McIntyre, who made 15 saves in 29 minutes of action. "I think for the most part, too, it's good to see that and to settle in. I think now from my standpoint, I've seen it, and it's not too crazy.
"It's nothing overwhelming. It's something I think I can handle and just got to go out there and play my game - stick to what I know, and just play my game and try and do my job."

McIntyre and Subban have played together for the last two seasons in both Providence and Boston. He said the two have become close and lean on each other for support on and off the ice.
"Just as goalie partners, we have conversations and obviously talk and discuss situations during the game where, 'Hey, maybe we could have improved, maybe we could have done something different or things we did well as well,'" said McIntyre.
"I think we have a good relationship in the sense where [we] push each other and we know how to complement and handle each other's emotions as well."

Providence College Connection

Tim Schaller and Noel Acciari played together at Providence College in 2012-13. Both are New England natives, Schaller from New Hampshire and Acciari from Rhode Island. And both continued their strong play on Tuesday night.
Schaller dropped the gloves with Zac Dalpe just 2:04 into the game and won three of four faceoffs in 10 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time.
Acciari registered three hits, including one in the third period that sent Matt Dumba into the Bruins bench.

Latest on Injuries

Julien did not have updates on Tuukka Rask or David Backes, who are both considered day-to-day.