McDonald: Loss wasn't Tuukka Rask's fault, and he needs to start vs. Lightning

Don’t point the finger at Tuukka Rask.

It wasn’t his fault the Bruins had their four-game winning streak snapped after a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night at TD Garden. The Bruins still would have lost this game even if Anton Khudobin, who was responsible for the recent winning streak, was back in net. This was the type of game the Bruins should have played with desperation almost as if they were in the midst of a four-game losing skid.

Rask needed a win and this was the perfect game for him to get it.



The Oilers have been struggling and entered Sunday’s game losing four of their previous five. Even though Rask has been on the bench for over a week while Khudobin’s produced his heroics, Boston’s No. 1 goalie needed to see game action.

Despite the loss, Bruce Cassidy should come right back with Rask on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. In order for the Bruins to be successful this season, it’s obvious they’re going to need both goaltenders playing well. Khudobin has done his part, now it’s critical to get Rask going in the right direction.

After Sunday’s game, Cassidy wouldn’t say whether or not he’s ready to announce if he starts Rask again on Wednesday.

“We can, of course,” the coach said. “We generally don’t announce that this far ahead of time. He’s a world-class goaltender. He’s going to get his wins. Hopefully whoever is in there Wednesday gives us a good chance to win. We have a good hockey team coming in here, so we’ll rest for the day (Monday) and then get back to work Tuesday. We’ll have a better idea (which goalie starts) then.”

The brief hiatus from game action didn’t affect Rask’s game on Sunday. It helped that the Oilers generated 10 shots in the first period, which allowed the goalie to find his game. His defense didn’t help him on Edmonton’s first goal. Torey Krug failed to clear the puck as the Oilers’ Zack Kassian was able to get it in at the blue line. His cross-ice pass to Patrick Maroon went uninterrupted as he beat Rask short side. It was a shot he could have stopped.

Adam Larsson’s go-ahead goal at 14:20 of the second period was redirected off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy’s skate, so it was just a bad bounce for the Bruins and Rask.

“Same film I’ve seen before,” Rask said.

Same film?

“Like a tough bounce,” he answered.

However, it was Ryan Strome’s eventual game-winner at 2:07 of the third period that definitely wasn’t Rask’s fault. Prior to the goal, the Oilers broke into the offensive zone on a 3-on-3. Bruins forward Tim Schaller was trailing the play and he stopped skating at the red line. As Strome found open ice in the slot, Schaller was gliding and never took another stride in an attempt to break up the play. Instead, Strome had all the time he wanted to zip one past Rask’s ear.

Once again, it simply wasn’t Rask’s night.

“He wants to win hockey games, it doesn’t matter how,” Krug said. “We got to do a better job of playing for him and getting that win. Tie game, third period, in our home building – a good chance to get him going again. We came out there and let him down. We got to do a better job of making sure that we can come out with this win.”

Rask played well enough to win. The Bruins didn’t help offensively or defensively and now everyone will be calling for Khudobin’s return on Wednesday. As well as the backup has played of late, it would be detrimental in the bigger picture if Rask doesn’t play against the Lightning.