Marco Sturm Believes Bruins Were ‘Mentally Not Sharp’ Against Canadiens

The Boston Bruins entered the Holiday break on a sour note with a 6-2 home loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.

Boston led 2-1 after the first period, but allowed five unanswered goals, including four goals in the third period. It was a disappointing game for the Bruins, and head coach Marco Sturm thought fatigue set in.

“Even after the first period, guys came ready to play today,” Sturm said on Tuesday, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “They were very excited, so it was good.

“But the goals we gave up – for me, it’s a lot of individual mistakes, fatigue. Guys were just mentally not sharp.”

Bruins star forward David Pastrnak agreed with Sturm that Boston is dealing with some mental fatigue.

“It seems maybe a little bit of mental fatigue these last couple games,” Pastrnak said. “A lot of mental mistakes that cost us the game. Hopefully, everybody can spend a couple days with the family and come here recharged. Because it’s not going to get any easier, the second half of the year.”

Boston will have three days off for the Holiday break, and the hope for the Bruins is that the reset will help them come out strong.

The Bruins will return to the ice on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.