Bruins slow start, finish strong, lose to Leafs 3-2

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 23: Mikhail Grabovski #84 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a second period goal as Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins looks on during NHL game action March 23, 2013 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Bruins didn't really show up until the third period and couldn't come back from a 3-0 hole and the Maple Leafs won 3-2. The Bruins held Phil Kessel to no points and no shots, as Kessel was a -1. After the game, Bruins coach Claude Julien was right on with this comment: "It wasn't enough fight in our team tonight to deserve to win."

Quick game summary
In the first period, Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri scored, making it 1-0 Leafs. Off the next faceoff, Bruins Shawn Thornton dropped the gloves with Maple Leafs Colton Orr and they had a good bout with Orr getting the decision in that one.

In the second period, Maple Leafs Mikhail Grabovski scored, making it 2-0 Leafs.

In the third period, Maple Leafs Frazer McLaren scored, making it 3-0 Leafs. Less than a minute later, Bruins Dennis Seidenberg scored his 2nd goal of the season, making it 3-1. With less than two minutes in the game, goalie pulled, Bruins Andrew Ference scored his 2nd goal of the season, making it 3-2. The Bruins couldn't get another goal to tie the game.

Game notes
Anton Khudobin started in net for the Bruins and made 8 saves on 11 shots. Khudobin was pulled after the third Leafs goal and Tuukka Rask came into the Bruins net. Khudobin got the loss and is now 6-3-0 with a 2.31 GAA and a .916 save percentage this season. Tuukka Rask stopped the 2 shots he faced.

The Bruins led the game in shots 33-13 and faceoff wins 30-25. The Maple Leafs led the game in hits 38-31 and blocked shots 31-14. The Bruins went 0-for-1 on the power-play while the Maple Leafs went 0-for-2.

David Krejci led the Bruins with 4 shots. Aaron Johnson led the Bruins with 5 hits. Gregory Campbell and Andrew Ference led the Bruins with 3 blocked shots apiece.

Player notes
Yesterday Johnny Boychuk was injured in practice so he was out of today's game and Matt Bartkowski was recalled and played in today's game. Adam McQuaid is still out and Aaron Johnson was in the lineup for him. Rich Peverley was back in the lineup and Jordan Caron was scratched.

Milan Lucic has now not scored a goal in 15 straight games.

Onto the next one
The Bruins are now 20-7-3 with 43 points. The next game for the Bruins is on Monday as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in Boston at 7pm ET.