Bruins goalies allow 3 goals in preseason loss to Rangers

The Boston Bruins finally got to play some actual hockey on Sunday evening at TD Garden, getting mixed results out of their mixed-up roster in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.

Of note is the performance of the goaltenders, in light of the ongoing Jeremy Swayman contract situation that's keeping him out of training camp. Brandon Bussi allowed two goals on 12 shots (.833) while playing about half the game, while Michael DiPietro allowed one goal on 10 shots (.900).

Bussi entered camp projected as the Bruins' No. 2 goaltender behind Joonas Korpisalo, with Swayman unavailable. The Rangers' Victor Mancini beat him with a wrister from the point to tie the game 1-1 in the first period, then Filip Chytil fired it past his glove side from the faceoff dot during a power play to put the B's down 2-1 after one period.

DiPietro allowed the eventual game-winning goal late in the third period, as the Rangers' Alec Belzile sneaked it through his pads from a tough angle.

On the bright side, the Bruins got scoring from young talent and new faces. Free-agent addition Cole Koepke opened the scoring just 1:34 into the game, finishing a juicy rebound down low against New York's Louis Domingue. Koepke has been playing left wing next to Trent Frederic at center in camp, and is in the mix for a bottom-six role.

Bruins prospect Trevor Kuntar tied the game 2-2 in the third period with a backhand rebound that found its way through a sea of bodies and past Rangers goalie Dylan Garand. Kuntar has played with intensity and crashed the net effectively so far in camp, so it was encouraging to see him put one home. He's projected to start the season in the minors, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get his first NHL call-up at some point.

Top Bruins prospects Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov each finished the game without a shot on goal. Merkulov, however, did assist on the Koepke goal. Lysell is projected to open the season as the Bruins' No. 2 right wing, while Merkulov has been repping at center and could have a tough time cracking the NHL roster at that position out of camp.

New Bruins forward Mark Kastelic left an impression with his relentlessly hard-nosed style, but did commit two penalties in the process, one of which led to the Chytil power play goal. Kastelic is on track to come out of camp as the Bruins' No. 4 center.

The Bruins will have Monday off, before getting back to work on Tuesday night in preseason action against the Washington Capitals. Expect a roster filled with players that didn't play Sunday. Then they will get back to training camp on Wednesday at Warrior Ice Arena.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.

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