In a disheartening display of their recent struggles, the Boston Bruins faced another tough loss, this time to the Las Vegas Golden Knights, on March 20, 2025. The final score read 5-1, marking a painful extension of the Bruins’ losing streak to four games and leaving them five points adrift of the second wild-card slot in the Eastern Conference with 12 games remaining.
As the Bruins took to the ice expecting to bounce back from their recent defeats, they found themselves quickly overwhelmed by a powerful performance from the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev was the standout star of the night, scoring three goals and leading his team to victory. "It was a great feeling to contribute like that in a big game," Dorofeyev said post-game. The Golden Knights were dynamic in their approach, capitalizing on every opportunity while limiting the Bruins’ scoring chances.
Playing at T-Mobile Arena, the Bruins managed only 19 shots on goal, an underwhelming performance that underlined their ongoing issues on offense. This marked the fifth straight game in which they had been outshot, averaging just 20 shots per game in that span. "It’s something that we talk about," said Bruins head coach Joe Sacco. He noted the team's tendency to overpass rather than shooting directly, emphasizing the need for more aggressive play. “We’re trying to make the cute play, the fancy play all the time. It doesn’t work in this league,” he remarked.
After a scoreless first period, Dorofeyev took control, scoring two goals in the second period. The first came just after a penalty against Boston's Nikita Zadorov at 8:15, which allowed the Golden Knights to convert on the power play. Dorofeyev’s second came shortly after, extending the lead to 2-0. Other players got involved too, with Brett Howden scoring on a 3-on-1 rush, and Ivan Barbashev putting one in on a 2-on-1 break to bring the score to 5-0.
Reflecting on the game, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman stated, "That’s a testament to our team and it’s our job to combat whatever they bring to us. I thought we did a good job of that. We just didn’t get the results.” Despite his efforts, Swayman struggled, surrendering five goals on 32 shots faced, which left him with an .847 save percentage. This loss was particularly difficult for him, as it marked the third straight game in which he allowed four or more goals, leading to questions about the defense in front of him.
With time running low in the third period, Morgan Geekie salvaged a modicum of pride for the Bruins, scoring their only goal of the night with just 2:11 left on the clock, assisted by David Pastrnak. This was Geekie's 24th goal of the season, a bright spot in an otherwise bleak game. "I think for sure it’s something that weighs on you," Geekie commented on the mounting pressure of the team’s slump. However, he noted that the team can’t dwell too long on the struggles and needs to refocus for the upcoming games.
The Bruins' struggles have broader implications as they try to maintain a position in the playoff race. With a record now sitting at 30-31-9, the team faces a precarious situation with just 12 games remaining in the season. Their next challenge comes quickly, as they are scheduled to face off against the San Jose Sharks on March 21, 2025. They will need to rebound swiftly if they hope to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The loss to the Golden Knights is a stark reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the NHL. Their failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities and the inability to break through against strong defenses has left the Bruins in a precarious position as the season winds down. If they can’t find a way to adapt and change their strategy soon, their playoff aspirations may slip further away.
This season has seen the Bruins struggle to find consistency. Despite strong individual performances, such as those from Pastrnak, the team as a whole has faltered when it matters most. If the Bruins are to turn their fortunes around, it will require not only significant changes in their approach but also a collective effort to regain their focus and momentum. With the fans’ hopes pinned on this team, they will be looking for a much-improved performance against the Sharks in the coming game, scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
