All the progress the Boston Bruins made in their two shutout wins last weekend was erased, and then some, in a brutal 4-0 loss to the rival Maple Leafs in Toronto on Tuesday night.
The main problems for the Bruins, which have been massive issues through the first 14 games of the season, were too many penalties and a lackluster penalty kill.
The B’s took eight (!) minor penalties, which gave the Leafs a whopping seven power-play opportunities, and they scored on three of them. Taking that many penalties against any opponent is unacceptable. Doing it versus a team like the Leafs that has so much offensive firepower is a recipe for disaster.
Even without first-line center Auston Matthews — who missed the game due to injury — the Leafs have more than enough high-end talent to punish the Bruins penalty kill. William Nylander is an elite offensive player. He scored a goal with one assist on the power play. Mitch Marner, another elite …