Prior to last night, the Bruins had not lost this season by more than three goals. It also was their worst loss since an 8-2 drubbing from the Maple Leafs on March 6, 2008.
The Bruins are 5-6-1 in their last dozen games, their worst work since their no-show October of 3-7-0. With just over two weeks to go prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline, no telling how the recent malaise will influence general manager Peter Chiarelli’s attempts to make a deal. He has been looking to add depth at offense and defense, but a game like last night’s, with how the club has played for nearly a month, could prompt him to try to come up with a deal of greater impact.
After falling behind by a pair of goals in the first period, the night got away from the Bruins in the second when the Sabres added another pair of goals and chased starting goalie Tuukka Rask.
“We needed saves there, and we didn’t get them tonight,’’ said Julien, noting how the 2-0 and 3-0 strikes essentially sealed his club’s fate. “That was a big hole to come back from. From there, our guys got away from our game plan and it got worse.’’
Rask, 0-2-1 in his previous three starts, was yanked with only 1:52 gone in the period after a backhanded shovel by Tyler Ennis eluded him near the right post and slipped into the net for the 3-0 lead. In came Tim Thomas, who gave up three more goals on 19 shots.
“I wasn’t at my best,’’ acknowledged Rask. “On the same hand, there were some tough ones . . . their second goal [Pominville’s first] was a good shot off a pass. And the third hit a post and got by me. When Timmy came in, I just said, ‘Hey, my bad.’ That’s a tough spot for someone to take over.’’
Thomas, who last season won his second Vezina Trophy in three years, looked a bit wobbly when Patrick Kaleta wristed home the 4-0 lead at 18:11. The shot from the left circle was stoppable, but Thomas, in a rare error, allowed it to beat him through a wide-open five-hole.
