The Bruins’ lack of offense, not referees, is the main reason they trail the Panthers 3-1

The Bruins’ lack of offense, not referees, is the main reason they trail the Panthers 3-1 originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON – The officiating was abysmal in Game 4 of the Bruins-Panthers second-round playoff series on Sunday night. The Panthers have had six power plays in each of the last three games. Boston’s frustration with some of these calls is justified.

But make no mistake: referees are not the main reason the Bruins were brought to the brink of elimination after a 3-2 loss in Game 4 in Jardim TD.

It’s because they can’t generate enough offense. Clear and simple.

The Panthers controlled the game for much of Game 4. Of course, getting six power plays is a big boost, and Florida cashed in on one of them – albeit controversially. But the 5-on-5 stats show that the Panthers tilted the ice in their favor by a pretty substantial margin.

By Natural Statistics Trick:

• shooting attempts: 79-42 Panthers (54-31 at 5-on-5)

• Goals on net: 41-18 Panthers (28-13 at 5-on-5)

• Goal chances: 45-18 Panthers (26-14 at 5-on-5)

• High danger chances: 18-11 Panthers (11-9 Bruins at 5-on-5)

• Expected goals: 4.59 to 2.15 in favor of the Panthers (2.25-1.79 in 5-on-5)

When the opponent has more than twice as many shots at 5-on-5 and has 12 more on 5-on-5 scoring chances, you’re in trouble. The Bruins generated just two shots in the third period. Sure, they spent 6:57 on the penalty kill during the frame, but that’s an abysmal amount of offense created in the most important period of the season thus far.

The Bruins have not scored more than 18 shots in three consecutive games. The Panthers, as a result, are just the fourth team since 1995 to hold an opponent to 18 shots or fewer in three or more consecutive playoff games.

“We have to spend more time in the ozone zone,” Bruins forward David Pastrnak said. “Credit to them, they’re doing a good job. But we need to be better and create space for each other.”

It’s not like the Bruins don’t have quality looks in net. Charlie Coyle, Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen all had partial or full escape opportunities in the second period. A goal on either of these chances increases the Bruins’ lead to 3-0 or 3-1 (the Panthers got on the scoreboard at 14:48 of the period), and perhaps the end result will be different.

Boston’s lack of offense isn’t just a Game 4 problem. It’s been a problem for this team for a few weeks now. The B’s have scored two or fewer goals in six of the last seven games, including three of the four meetings in this series. That’s far from good enough against a high-powered Panthers offense that has scored more than three goals in eight of its nine playoff games.

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Brad Marchand’s absence he missed Game 4 with an upper body injury – is a huge setback for the Bruins in their ability to score goals consistently. The veteran left wing ranked second among the Bruins with 67 points in the regular season, and still leads the team in the playoffs with 10 points (three goals, seven assists). Pastrnak led the Bs in goals (47), assists (63) and points (110). He scored Boston’s first goal in Game 4 on the power play. He scored a point in three of four games against Florida.

The rest of the group didn’t really show up.

Pavel Zacha has scored zero goals in 22 career playoff games. Charlie Coyle has one goal and two points in 11 games this postseason. Trent Frederic has not scored a goal in his last six games. James van Riemsdyk has not scored a goal in his last seven games. Morgan Geekie has scored zero points in the last three games despite playing in the top six minutes. The Bruins’ top two defensemen are Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. Neither player scored a single point in the second round. McAvoy has been without a point in seven consecutive games.

Jake DeBrusk, with four points (two goals, two assists) in four games, is one of the few Bruins players who has played very well offensively throughout the series.

The Bruins’ lack of scoring is especially disappointing when considering how well Jeremy Swayman played in net. He ranks first among playoff goalies with a .931 save percentage and 8.04 goals saved above expected. He played fantastic again in Game 4, making 11 high-danger saves. With a little more offense, the Bruins wouldn’t need seven games to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, and they would likely be at least tied in this series against the Panthers.

But the Bruins don’t have enough offensive talent to hang with teams like the Panthers. They have an elite forward in Pastrnak. The Panthers have three or four of those edge players, plus better depth. Florida is on another level in terms of lineup.

The No. 1 priority for the Bruins in the offseason needs to be adding another elite natural scorer or a legitimate top-six center who can create quality scoring chances for other players. And with about $21 million in salary cap space this summer, there is no excuse for the Bruins not to acquire this type of offensive star.