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Boston Bruins: Only Tuukka Rask seemed to show up for Game 4

By Scott Edwards

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 03: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his empty-net goal in the third period at 18:31 as Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins looks on in Game Four of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Enterprise Center on June 03, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 03: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his empty-net goal in the third period at 18:31 as Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins looks on in Game Four of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Enterprise Center on June 03, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Plenty of excitement was had for Boston Bruins fans rolling into Game 4. Coming off a 7-2 dominant Game 3 victory over the Blues to take a 2-1 series lead, all looked great for the B’s. Instead, Tuukka Rask was the only one to do his part and show up for Game 4.

All playoffs long, the one consistent factor of the Boston Bruins run has been goaltender Tuukka Rask. Rask proved to do the same this game, standing on his head as he did all he could to keep his team in the game.

Tuuka Rask faced 37 shots, stopping 34 and the only three goals to get by would be on rebounds and no help by the defense. Rask continued his incredible playoff performance while the Bruins showed once again, they can be dominated by the physicality of St. Louis.

The Bruins contended for as long as they could but completely disappeared in the third period when things were all tied up at 2. While Zdeno Chara going down with injury and never touching the ice following a puck to the face that left him bloody, that cannot be their excuse.

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For most of the game it seemed they were not there. At times the Blues showed absolute dominance that mirrored Game 2. Simply put, some players more than others are to blame.

David Krejci has completely disappeared from the Boston Bruins lineup. While being active in all four games, he has contributed zero points. When you center the second line of that is expected to produce and you get nothing out of it, you are going to suffer. Krejci looked lost at times tonight as the Blues managed to get in his face when he had the puck. If the Bruins want to close out this series, Krejci has to find his legs and get on the score sheet going forward.

The Boston Bruins powerplay has been nearly unstoppable all playoffs long, especially in the Stanley Cup Finals. A game ago, they went 4-4 and looked truly dominant. Tonight, both Blues defensemen Colton Parayko and Jay Bouwmeester committed separate penalties to put the Bruins on a powerplay. On both powerplays combined, the team combined for one total shot. Suddenly, the team seemed incapable on the powerplay, which is why Tuukka now sits as the only guarantee for this team game in and game out.

For the Bruins to bounce back, the second line must return to glory like previous rounds and the powerplay must find their success once again. Hopefully, Zdeno Chara will be good to go as well. Despite the big man’s inabilities in some assets, he still ranks as one of their best defenders and they need him to raise the Cup.

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A return to Boston hopefully can get the Bruins back on track. Even when the Bruins have been dominant, they have only really lost by one each game. Thursday is a must-win for the Boston Bruins.

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