With a 2-2-2 record in their previous six games, the Boston Bruins continue searching for more consistent effort and energy when their three-game homestand picks up Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jim Montgomery’s team was unable to find both in a 3-2 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, recording only 17 shots and going scoreless on the power play for a sixth straight game (0-for-17).
“You can’t plan for lack of juice,” Montgomery said. “We get to play in the greatest league in the world and the excitement should come within. Each individual should be able to go out there and play in front of our great fans.”
Trent Frederic recorded his first multi-goal game of the season against his hometown team on Saturday, accounting for all of Boston’s scoring and five of the team’s 17 shots. David Pastrnak had another four, but Bruins did not register more than six as a team in any period and were held without one in overtime.
Montgomery hopes that his players can curb any doubts that may be creeping into their game.
“I think that’s a concern all the time when you’re a .500 team,” Montgomery said.
However, between recent drubbings by the Carolina Hurricanes (8-2 on Oct. 31) and Dallas Stars (7-2 on Thursday), “I thought we were getting there with consistency. We lost it in Dallas and it was not there (Saturday),” Montgomery said. “Offensively, we haven’t been there all year.”
How do they get out of it?
“We have to grind through,” center Charlie Coyle said. “You have to take responsibility and hold each other accountable. You know we’re going to get out of these little funks, they happen every year. The good teams find ways to stop it a little quicker. It takes everyone.”
Boston defenseman Andrew Peeke (upper body) and forward Tyler Johnson (personal) both returned to practice Sunday, while Mark Kastelic (lower body) remains day-to-day.
Peeke is a former Blue Jacket, as is goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who was not ruled out of a second straight start.
The visit to Boston marks the back half of a quick two-game road trip for Columbus, which suffered a 5-1 setback on Saturday to the Montreal Canadiens — its seventh loss in eight games (1-6-1) and seventh straight on the road (0-5-2).
The Blue Jackets were in a 2-1 game through two periods before surrendering three goals in the third at Montreal. The two teams are now tied for the lowest point total (14) in the Eastern Conference, with Columbus having played one fewer game (17) than Montreal.
“We’ve had enough learning experiences at this point to understand how we need to play to have success,” Columbus coach Dean Evason said. “We believe that at some point it’ll click, and we’ll have a little more consistency than we’ve had so far.”
The loss in Montreal came a night after a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh in which 15 of 18 skaters recorded points. The Blue Jackets had scored just 13 goals in their previous seven games.
Turnovers plagued the Blue Jackets and led to multiple Canadiens goals, while two of their four power plays were canceled early due to penalties.
“We’re just trying to make too many plays that aren’t there,” defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We’re really not out of it (at 2-1), and then turnovers, a couple goals, and the next thing you know, it’s a lopsided score. … You’re going to lose a lot of games in this league if you’re not playing your style, and (Saturday) we didn’t.”
Saturday’s loss marked the Blue Jackets’ sixth consecutive against Montreal. They have lost eight of the past nine meetings overall against Boston and four in a row at TD Garden.