Why bruins loss

Cassidy referred multiple times to "nagging" injuries that plagued the goalie throughout the regular season and postseason. But other than the third period of Game 5, Cassidy stuck with Rask, the goalie he trusted most, against the Islanders, instead of turning to rookie Jeremy Swayman.

It's unclear whether anything would have changed had he made a goalie switch, but it's clear that Rask's injury, which may require offseason surgery, impacted his play. Swayman a bright spot: With the tandem of Rask and Halak entering the season as one of the best in the NHL, it didn't seem likely that Swayman would enter the equation so soon. He was with a 1. With Rask and Halak able to become an unrestricted free agents July 28, Swayman's play may offer additional flexibility under the NHL salary cap for the Bruins, and a shot at the starter's job for Swayman sooner than anticipated.

No downturn for Marchand: Even at 33, Marchand somehow continues to get better. The forward was the Bruins' most valuable player all season. He scored 69 points 29 goals, 40 assists in 53 games, and 12 points eight goals, four assists in 11 playoff games.

His average of 1. McAvoy takes steps: Charlie McAvoy became the leader of the Bruins' defensemen this season following the departure of Zdeno Chara , and the year-old proved he was up to the task. He scored 30 points five goals, 25 assists and averaged of ice time in 51 games, the most of his four NHL seasons.

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Boston Bruins 1 hour ago. Boston Bruins 23 hours ago. A stick-sliding, bodies-flying, pucks-bouncing, boards-rattling night reflective of the deepening enmity, escalating gamesmanship, and alternating dominance that coursed through the series. From eight games split in the regular season to six more meetings in the playoffs, these teams were sick of sharing the same ice.

By the time that second period ended, it was only a matter of time before they broke out their best material. Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist.

She can be reached at tara. Related: The second period was a disaster. Boston Globe video.