Takeaways: Bruins not second-guessing Ullmark decision after Game 2 loss

In the beginning, Game 1 resembled similarities to Game 2.

The trends began with speculation around Boston’s starter in net and continued with William Nylander’s status. 

But even without one of the cogs from Toronto’s core five, the Leafs compiled multiple quality looks against Linus Ullmark throughout Monday’s tilt. They eventually took advantage of a golden opportunity when Max Domi pounced on multiple rebounds to tie things up at 1-1 just 14 seconds after Morgan Geekie’s power play marker.

The Leafs established momentum for the first time in the series. But the Bruins grabbed it back with less than eight seconds left in the opening frame after Pavel Zacha connected with fellow Czech David Pastrnak for a highlight-reel sequence.

The Bruins received some breaks in the second behind Ullmark’s impeccable stop on Calle Jarnkrok on the doorstep and the overturning Tyler Bertuzzi’s following a review for a high stickup. But a slipup late into their third shorthanded situation resulted in John Tavares beating Ullmark clean at 18:26 for the Leafs’ second equalizer.

In the end, the Bruins didn’t show enough urgency to carry a 2-0 series lead into Toronto.

The Leafs grabbed their first lead of the season over the Bruins when Rocket Richard winner Auston Matthews put his team ahead for good at 12:06 of the final frame.

Toronto overcame another undisciplined sequence after Matthews’ go-ahead tally, killing off their second shorthanded attempt before holding Boston in check during its final push late in regulation.

Here’s what we learned from Boston’s 3-2 setback.

The Bruins aren’t second-guessing their decision to start Ullmark.

The Bruins returned to the rotation and tabbed Ullmark for the first start of his 2024 postseason.

Ullmark remained focused from the get-go, making multiple quality stops in his first playoff action since Game 6 of last year’s first-round series against Florida. But unlike Jeremy Swaayman in Game 1, the Bruins didn’t provide him with enough offensive support.

“No second guesses,” Montgomery said after watching Ullmark’s 30-save outing in Game 2. “He was terrific. He made multiple big-time saves. It’s the strength of our team. Both [Ullmark and Swayman] played really well. We only scored two goals [Monday].”

Of course, Montgomery’s decision may not prevent second-guessing on social media and sports radio. But the Bruins had every reason to keep their rotation intact.

With Toronto’s high-end talent in Matthews, Tavares, Mitch Marner, Morgan Reilly and Nylander (when healthy), the Bruins will continue to face significant tests as they battle for every precious inch of available ice. Altering a fresh goalie into every game, at least through the first four games, will provide that reliable flexibility in net.

“There are some things to clean up definitely,” Ullmark said. “But it’s a long series, and now it’s all about recharging.”

Boston succumbed to game management mishaps and sloppy puck play.

In Game 1, the Bruins added their insurance in the second and third stanzas after Matthews whiffed on an open net. Two days later, they entered damage control.

Domi snuck behind the D to immediately halt momentum after Geekie scored Boston’s third power play marker in two games. 

In the second, they had some opportunities to extend their lead after Pastrnak took advantage of Toronto’s defensive lapse around the front of the net. But they ran into penalty trouble as the middle frame progressed, eventually leading to Tavares’ first of the series.

The Bruins struggled handling the puck through the second and third frames. But they had a chance to take advantage of Toronto’s undiscipline when Ilya Lybushkin and Bertuzzi delivered late hits during a scrum in front of Ilya Samsonov late in regulation.

Instead, with Charlie Coyle also serving a roughing minor, Boston’s power play struggled to sustain puck movement in the attacking end. The Leafs cleared the puck out of their end four times, then staved off Boston’s final attempts with Ullmark pulled for the extra attacker.

“I don’t think we played nowhere near as good as we can, you know, and that’s not saying just after last game,” Pastrnak said. “We have some work to do, and obviously, get some sleep tonight and go back to work tomorrow.”

Andrew Peeke exits with an upper-body injury.

An unheralded trade deadline addition, Peeke exceeded expectations following a rough end to his tenure in Columbus.

Before Peeke’s arrival, the Bruins encountered significant issues defending the front of the net. Peeke admirably filled his role as a third-pair defenseman. His physical presence along the crease and the half-walls resulted in increased ice time in penalty kill and shutdown situations.

Peeke went from a supposed liability in Columbus to a reliable cog on Boston’s back end. He did everything the coaching staff asked of him. 

Just as he found his stride in the Boston lineup, Peeke encountered a rough break in Game 2. The former Blue Jacket exited with an upper-body ailment after blocking a shot during the middle frame.

The Leafs pounced on Boston’s shorthanded D in the third, grabbing their first lead of the series on Matthews’ breakaway. But Montgomery would’ve loved to have seen more support from the forward core during Peeke’s absence.

“I thought our five D gave us everything we could,” Montgomery said. “I thought our forwards needed to take over the game in the third period.

Montgomery didn’t provide an update on Peeke during his postgame press conference. The Bruins should know more about Peeke’s potential status Tuesday before departing for Games 3 and 4 in Toronto.

Derek Forbort, who missed the final two months of the regular season after opting for surgery to heal nagging injuries, recently returned from a conditioning stint in Providence. Both Forbort and Parker Wotherspoon, a healthy scratch in the first two games, remain likely candidates to replace Peeke if he misses any extended time.