One Big Takeaway From Bruins’ Losing Streak Continuing Vs. Oilers

BOSTON — The Bruins nearly pulled off a statement win over the Edmonton Oilers on the road less than three weeks ago.

Boston was in the same position Tuesday night at TD Garden with the Bruins and Oilers meeting again. The Bruins made a statement this time, but not the one they intended.

The Bruins put together a lackluster showing as they never really threatened the Oilers, who cruised to a 4-0 win to give Boston its fifth consecutive loss.

The biggest difference between the two sides came in how each team’s respective offenses performed. Sure, the Bruins don’t have close to the same amount of firepower that the Oilers have, but Boston still should have generated more out of its attack. Instead, the Bruins got outshot, 29-12, through the first two periods as they didn’t sustain much pressure at all on Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (26 saves).

Even when the Bruins received their first power-play chance in the second period, they couldn’t make the Oilers pay, continuing an all too common theme from this season. They mustered just two shots on the man advantage that never threatened Skinner.

Meanwhile, the Oilers peppered Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman with shots as he finished with 35 saves and did his best to try to keep Boston in the game. Connor McDavid’s breakaway goal with 8:49 left in the second period to give the Oilers a 2-0 lead was the back breaker. It came mere moments after Pavel Zacha missed a golden chance to level the score.

The Bruins got more pucks to the net in the third period — 14 in total in the frame — but looking up at a three-goal deficit is like trying to climb Mount Everest for this team. It’s just too tall of a task since they can’t consistently find the back of the net.