Rask: 'We've got a lot of work to do'

LAS VEGAS – This was a long time coming and it finally occurred only five games into the 2017-18 season for the Boston Bruins.

Tuukka Rask made it publicly clear that he’s not happy with the team’s 2-3-0 record to start the season. After the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Bruins 3-1 Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena, the goalie, the backbone of the team, somewhat subtly voiced his displeasure.

When asked about the team’s inconsistency, Rask answered without answering.

“I just try to go out there and give us a chance to win every night,” Rask said. “That’s what I’m focused on. I’m not going to comment anymore on team play that much. We can just talk about goaltending.”



Rask isn’t the prototypical goalie. He doesn’t have that proverbial goaltender mentality. He’s not odd. He’s straight-laced and down to earth. So, for him to avoid discussing the team is a bit odd, but it was clearly a veteran move on his part to get his point across.

“That’s just the way it is -- sorry,” he said when asked why he wouldn’t talk about the team’s overall performance. Many might think it’s too early in the season for a veteran to make a statement but it’s a good sign that Rask is taking this step.

Earlier in his career, Rask wouldn’t hold back and would be straight to the point. He’s eased back the last few seasons, at least to the media, but he made his point on Sunday. Voicing his opinion publicly should have occurred on Jan. 1, 2016 after the Montreal Canadiens embarrassed the Bruins 5-1 in the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium.

After that game, Rask was the first player off the ice and after he walked into the locker room, he could be heard trashing the room and yelling in frustration. When the media was allowed in, he was already showered, dressed in a suit but didn’t voice his displeasure publicly. He simply said the team needed to play better.

On Sunday, after a disappointing 1-2-0 road trip, who knows what was said behind closed doors, but Rask is making a statement early.

“There’s no reason to point fingers,” said David Krejci. “Yeah, we lost the game and it’s a frustrating loss, but it was just the fifth game of the season, so let’s not make a big deal out of it. We’ve got to come back to Boston, we’ll work hard in practices and get ready for the next game.”

The Bruins’ schedule in the first month isn’t taxing. Boston only has 10 games in October, and after Sunday, the team doesn’t play again until it hosts the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday at TD Garden. Rask doesn’t think the layoff between games matters either way, but added that things need to be fixed – fast.

“I don’t know,” he said. “The schedule is kind of light for us in the beginning, but they’re going to pile up at some point, so might as well play them consistently. We’ll get into practice on Tuesday and then go from there, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

On the ice, the Bruins are trying to create chemistry between a veteran group that’s won a Stanley Cup, and a younger core that’s finding its way in the NHL. Despite an inconsistent start, the Bruins don’t want to use any excuses.

“We may have a few young guys, but we’ve got a lot of older guys and we still have a lot of good veterans on this team and we have to do a better job of leading the way and being prepared each night and making a good example out there,” said Brad Marchand. “Maybe we need to be better at that.”

When pressed on the schedule, or the back-to-back games on the road, or the lack of scoring and defensive breakdowns, Rask wasn’t into discussing the X’s and O’s. He put it as simply as possible for everyone to understand.

“No excuses,” Rask said.

Since the Bruins decided to stay the night in Vegas and not return to Boston immediately after the game, maybe it could be the perfect time for an early-season slump buster for the team. Maybe a few hours with teammates at the blackjack table will do the trick. Either way, it was about time Rask offered a wakeup call to the Bruins.