BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Lightning 2 -- Rask's timely performance leads to victory

Everything you need to know about the Bruins' 3-2 win over the Lightning in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

It’s Rask’s net: Yes, Tuukka Rask wasn’t tested often, but he showed signs of regaining his game. Facing the Eastern Conference-leading Lightning, Rask made the timely saves en route to victory. It’s also important the Bruins played well in front of him, even with a depleted lineup. Rask recorded the save of the game with the Bruins holding a two-goal lead with 31.2 seconds remaining in the second period. He was sharp going post-to-post to stifle a quality scoring chance with a left-pad save on Nikita Kucherov’s shot from the right circle. That save was also meaningful because Kucherov has 17 goals in 25 games this season.

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Solid start: After the Bruins’ 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, Bruce Cassidy criticized his team for its lack of energy. Well, that wasn’t the case against the Lightning. The Bruins produced one of their better periods of the season to this point and outshot the opponent, 19-5, which ties a season-high in any period. Boston had 19 against the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 16.

Shoot ‘em up: In order to beat the Lightning, the Bruins needed to exploit Tampa’s defense. Boston accomplished that by registering plenty of shots on net. The Bruins had 19 in the first and 13 in the second, but only four in the third. Tampa played a strong third period, but Boston held on defensively.

TURNING POINT

During Rask’s recent struggles, he wasn’t getting the bounces. That’s usually the case when any player is having a tough go of it. Boston’s netminder received a bit of puck luck with 3:55 remaining in the second period. It appeared that the Lightning’s Tyler Johnson scored to cut Tampa’s deficit to one goal. However, the puck hit the far post and ricocheted out. Even if it had gone in after it hit the post, Johnson likely would have been called for goalie interference because he kept crashing the net and ran through Rask. That no-call proved crucial because it served as a bit of a wakeup call for the Bruins. After the game, even Rask mentioned the puck off the post as finally getting one to bounce his way.

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TWO UP



David Backes: The man lost 13 pounds and 10 inches from his colon/small intestine after he had surgery on Nov. 2. It’s incredible that the veteran forward is able to return to the lineup less than a month. He wasted zero time doing what he does best, which is crashing and banging in front of the opposition’s net. At times, he was a step behind, which is understandable given what he’s been through.

Frank Vatrano: Got to give him credit for jumping the Lightning’s Cedric Paquette after he drilled Torey Krug with a nasty hit from behind early in the second period. Vatrano played well of late and he’s trying to stay in the lineup. Having a teammate’s back after a bad hit will earn him points. After the game, Krug said how big of a boost it was after Vatrano stood up and answered the bell.

ONE DOWN

Brandon Carlo: Too many bad penalties at the most inopportune time for him this season. With the Bruins opening the third with a 3-1 lead, Carlo was called for interference only 46 seconds into the period. The Lightning capitalized when Steven Stamkos scored his 11^th of the season.

NOT ON THE SCORE SHEET

Noel Acciari has the ability to impact a game with his determination. In the second period, he outworked three Lightning players in the offensive corner, won the puck battle, which resulted in Tim Schaller drawing a tripping penalty. The Bruins did not score on the power play, but Acciari did his job and did it well.

UP NEXT

The Bruins head out on the road for a two-game stint against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and the Nashville Predators on Monday.