When we look back on this game come the end of the year, it will be remembered not only because of the stunning Bruins collapse at its end but also because of the team that did the stunning. Fact is, the Bruins lost to the Buffalo Sabers Wednesday and though they were spectacular at times, a game tying goal with 43 seconds left in the 3rd period and then an OT winner by Buffalo 42 seconds into the sudden death period left a taste beyond sour in the mouths of Bruins fans.
As good as milestones like Brad Marchand's 20th goal, Chris Kelly's 5th goal and the solidification of the Bruins' ability to erase leads by opposing teams made the better part of this game fun, the end wiped away that all. This was not the way the Bruins wanted to resume NHL play and though the team could be blamed for the first 3 goals scored against them, it was their goalie that was at fault for the two goals that ultimately lost the game.
Fact is this is at the very least the 3rd game that Chad Johnson has blew for the Bruins this season and though statistically, he is not that bad, Johnson has been a man who, all season long has simply botched saves that he really should have grabbed. The fact that he is so consistently inconsistent ought to be troubling to some Bruins fans and the team itself. One second he is absolutely robbing guys like he did in 4 straight games at the end of January and the beginning of February and another he is allowing goals like the infamous wrap around goal back in December vs. Buffalo or the two at the end at this game.
Earlier this month, when Johnson was still flying high from his stellar month of January, Tuukka Rask eluded to the importance of having a good two man tandem in net.
"It's huge for us," Rask said "You need two good goalies throughout the season, because the season is so long. With March coming up, it's going to be a crazy, crazy month, so you're going to need two goalies. It's been good to see him get into this groove and helping us get the wins."
"His record speaks for itself," Julien said. "The way he played tonight, even though people are going to say he didn't get tested, we know that's as big of a challenge for a goaltender as any, especially when you're playing a team that has a lot of skill. He's been playing well. It's been great."
But now, this game, goals like these remind us of how quickly things can change.
After Boston drew even with the Sabers late in the 1st period, they were once again out played at the beginning of the second meaning that after a roughing call that was marginal at best, this Bruins penalty kill was put to the test by a very desperate Sabers team. Roughly 55 seconds into the man advantage, a hard slap shot in from the blue-line seemed to catch Johnson by surprise bouncing off his pad, around the net and onto the stick of Tyler Myers. Still lost in the crease and unsure of where the puck was, Johnson was easily beaten by the off balance wrist shot that put the Sabers ahead 2-1. 3 minutes later, he was beaten again, this time by yet another wrist shot lacking power or any redirections.
Luckily for Boston, Johnson locked things down from then on holding off any further damage while the Bruins offence managed to chip away and eventually tie the game in the 3rd period. When Milan Lucic scored the Bruins' 3rd unanswered goal, the game seemed to have been won. But then the Sabers pulled their goalie and once again, Johnson let up. With the puck stuck back in the corner, Brad Marchand missed a check and allowed Matt Moulsen to swing around to the front of the net. When Chad Johnson fell into the butterfly, he failed to plant his legs and slid awkwardly away from the puck. Moulsen scored into the empty net and so, yet another mistake had cost the Bruins a chance at a sure 2 points. 22 seconds into overtime, the game would be over.
That goal beat Johnson five whole upping his number of mistakes to 4. 4 shots that he should have turned aside and 4 shots that if he did so would have reversed the outcome of this game.
Bruins fans, Chad Johnson was never a long term fix for the Bruins situation in the backup goal tending slot and as games like these continue to pile up, they only further the possibility and meaby even likelihood that come next year, there will be a new man backing up Tuukka Rask.
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