By: Joe Ballway, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

Just when it was beginning to seem like it was no longer possible, the Bruins pulled it off. They shocked the world. They scored a goal (italics).

More as a result of sheer relief than jubilation, Patrice Bergeron’s tying marker against the Canadiens with 52 seconds remaining–Boston’s first in 192 minutes of play–launched the restless Garden crowd into a frenzy on Thursday night. The Bruins ultimately fell 2-1 in the shootout, but they at least managed a point, and steered clear of a dubious feat they hadn’t accomplished since 1929: three straight shutout losses.

While the Bruins will gladly accept the compensatory point, Bergeron’s goal was merely a temporary bandage for a deep-running wound. The injury-ravaged squad has scored four times in the past five games, falling to 1-3-1 in that span despite having allowed just seven goals against. One would think that a showdown with the Habs would trigger some sort of spark from the depths of Boston’s offensive abyss, but that wasn’t the case until crunch time–perhaps because the players realized that riots may have ensued had they not tucked one behind Carey Price before the buzzer.

To the Bruins’ credit, it’s not like they haven’t been getting their chances. They peppered Price with 43 shots through regulation and overtime. But therein lies the problem: their mishmash of forwards lacks a bona fide finisher. No one in the current lineup, aside from maybe Bergeron, is capable of putting a team on his back with a long streak of offensive production.

The Bruins are just going to have to tough it out until the likes of Savard, Krejci, and Lucic can make their way back into the lineup, and take advantage of all the opportunities they are presented with in the meantime. For now, it’s a battle for every inch.

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