Kalman On Toucher & Rich: Forwards On Second, Third Line Remain Bruins' Biggest Concern
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Bruins won their fourth straight on Thursday night, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in overtime on Milan Lucic's game-winner with 40 seconds left.
The Bruins have earned at least one point in their last five games, and six of their last seven. But as well as they are playing right now, all isn't perfect. The offense has been somewhat inconsistent at times, and the B's defense has had their own issues -- including captain Zdeno Chara.
CBSBostonsports.com Bruins' reporter Matt Kalman joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Friday, and said Chara has looked a step behind in the early goings of the season.
READ: Matt Kalman's Bruins Blog
"Things are moving a lot faster for him right now and he's not keeping up with the pace. Last night was a rough night for him, but a rough night for the whole defensive corps," said Kalman. "The breakouts were horrible, and that's not just the defensive corps but the whole team. They really had no business pulling out two points, but they did, and that's the story of early part of this season; not giving a 60-minute effort but still playing well enough to beat lesser opponents."
"I think they do know that that's the case, and the coach hasn't been throwing roses at their feet," said Kalman. "You have to hope that it's only November and it will sink in come January and February. They talk about it being a long season and flipping the switch in the playoffs, but they're in a tough division where they need to get into better position to even get into the playoffs."
The Adam Jones Show: Pluses/Minuses From B's Win Over Columbus
Loui Eriksson netted his third goal of the season, but the production from Boston's forwards on the second and third line still remains an issue.
"There is still a long way to go with that line. At times they still don't look like they're in sync," Kalman said of the Bergeron-Eriksson-Marchand line. "I still think that line has a lot of work to do. There definitely have been improvements. They're starting to get to know each other better and Marchand, at times, is starting to be the guy they need him to play like. But I think that's still their weakness, those middle six forwards on the second and third line is your biggest concern."
Kalman also discussed potential new overtime rules, and was asked to grade Boston's trade of Tyler Seguin:
Kalman Talks B's Winning Streak
MORE FROM TOUCHER AND RICH
