How Should Bruins Fans Feel After Game 1 Loss To Sabres? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Bruins Game 1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres was the worst in Stanley Cup Playoffs history. No other team had led by two or more goals while shutting out a team for 52 minutes and lost in regulation.
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So how should Bruins fans feel after Game 1?
On one hand, the Bruins did not trail a single time in the opening 55 minutes of play. They led nearly every minute of the game, and Jeremy Swayman stood on his head.
On the other hand, they clearly were not the better team on Sunday night.
The Sbares offense skated circles around the Bruins defense. Boston was outshot 38-20, and Buffalo recorded 53 hits, while Boston only had 38.
Bruins fans knew that their defense would be the Achilles heel in this matchup. It was going to take a Herculean effort from Swayman in the crease, and that’s exactly what they got.
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So in some ways, Sunday night played out as we thought it would. But the inability to finish in a pivotal Game 1 is crushing.
The Sabres’ power play is very bad. It has been all season, and it was again on Sunday as Boston killed all four penalties successfully
If the Bruins can find a way to score one goal a period going forward, fans should remain optimistic.
I thought the Bruins were going to win this series, and after leading for nearly 50 minutes, I don’t feel any differently. Boston let that one slip, but it followed the script of a winnable matchup.
More NHL: Bruins’ Late Loss Was First Of Its Kind In NHL Postseason History
