BOSTON — The Bruins failed to show up in their most important game of the season, and as result, that season now is over.
The Ottawa Senators handed the B’s a 6-1 beatdown Saturday afternoon at TD Garden in the final regular-season game for both teams. Boston led 1-0 after the first period and outshot Ottawa by a wide margin over the game’s final 30 minutes, but a four-goals-in-nine-minutes flurry by the Senators early in the second frame proved too much for the Bruins to overcome.
The Boston players who spoke postgame struggled to explain how their team could put forth such an unsatisfactory effort after they had waxed the now-playoff-bound Detroit Red Wings 5-2 just two days earlier. A sampling:
Defenseman Torey Krug: “I can’t explain that. I don’t know. It’s just disappointing. I mean, I don’t know what else to say. At a loss for words, to be honest. I don’t know. … We just didn’t come out here and compete the way that we should have. There was no desperation for a team that was in our situation”
Center David Krejci: “After a decent first period, and then coming back flat like that in the second, it’s unacceptable. And that cost us the game, so it’s frustrating. You can be angry, you can be whatever, but it is what it is, so hopefully we’re not dead yet.”
Winger Brad Marchand: “Obviously, very frustrated and disappointed. We had the opportunity to make the playoffs, and we didn’t take advantage of it. So, definitely disappointed. … We put ourselves in the worst position possible.”
Defenseman Zdeno Chara: “I wish I had the explanation. It’s just a — I wish I had an explanation.”
Center Patrice Bergeron: “I don’t think there’s any words for it. I think we all know it’s disappointing, and there’s not much to be said right now.”
A few hours after Bruins-Senators went final, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1, officially eliminating Boston from playoff contention. Boston would have clinched a playoff spot if it had earned even one point against Ottawa.
Some additional notes from Saturday:
— The Bruins ended their season with losses in nine of their final 12 games. They scored one goal in six of those losses and two in two others.
— The Bruins handed out a slew of regular-season team awards during a pregame ceremony. Here’s a full rundown:
Eddie Shore Award (for “exceptional hustle and determination”): Matt Beleskey
Elizabeth Dufresne Trophy (for “outstanding performance during home games”): Loui Eriksson
John P. Bucyk Award (for “greatest off-ice charitable contributions”): Jimmy Hayes
Bruins Three Stars (“top performers at home games”): David Krejci (Third Star), Tuukka Rask (Second Star), Patrice Bergeron (First Star)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
