Awful third periods becoming huge issue amid slow start NBC Boston [Video]

BOSTON — The Bruins will continue to be an average (or worse) team until they figure out how to play better in third periods.

Boston’s performance over the final 20 minutes of regulation versus the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night was awful, and it ended up costing the Bruins in a 3-2 overtime loss.

The score was tied at two goals apiece entering the third period. The Bruins were at home with a great opportunity to earn back-to-back wins and build some real momentum after a disappointing 7-7-1 start to the campaign. But instead of attacking and dictating the pace of play against an inferior opponent, the Bruins failed to generate any offense over the entire period.

Boston tallied zero (!) shots on net in the third period. That’s right — zero. The Senators outshot the Bruins 11-0 and emerged victorious when captain Brady Tkachuk beat Jeremy Swayman 21 seconds …