Recap: Tuukka Rask struggles as Bruins fall to Ducks 5-3

A Tuukka Rask dud was likely going to happen and we saw that Monday night as the Boston Bruins fell to the Anaheim Ducks 5-3.

Rask made just 22 saves on 27 shots faced in the loss. David Pastrnak, Taylor Hall and Erik Haula were the three goal scorers for Boston.

1st period

The Ducks were the long goal scorers in the opening frame, with a Ryan Getzlaf shot getting deflected and past Rask.

It eventually was changed to a goal for Derek Grant.

2nd period

While the Bruins got an early power play, it was the Ducks finding the back of the net.

Isac Lundestrom scored his third shorthanded goal of the season with an accidental successful Kucherov.

Third shorthanded goal allowed this season by Boston, tough way to start the second and bad goal to allow by Rask.

The Bruins drew within one when they were able to successful score on a power play later in the period.

Patented Pastrnak power play goal.

But Anaheim regained a two-goal lead with Getzlaf finding the back of the net on a weak goal allowed by Rask.

Before the end of the frame, the Bruins were able to grab another power play goal courtesy of a sweet feed from Brad Marchand to Hall.

Great pass by Marchand threading the needle.

The back and forth second resulted in the Ducks yet again having a one-goal lead going into intermission.

3rd period

This is where Tuukka really feel apart. Two bad goals from long range, the first from Troy Terry.

The it was ex-Bruins legend Greg Pateryn ripping one top shelf to give the Ducks the 5-2 lead.

Haula scored late but wasn’t enough, Bruins fall 5-3.

Notes

• OK so Tuukka isn’t NHL ready. Cassidy said after the game he’s still probably 7-8 games away from top form, which is fair. Really would have helped if he could get those games in the AHL. Haters were out in full form last night, and honestly, rightfully so
• You know it’s bad when Greg Pateryn is sniping on Rask
• -3 for McAvoy tonight. Yikes
• Just sloppy hockey all around. Passing wasn’t crisp, didn’t get a ton of quality A chances on the Ducks. Just felt like one where they were a step behind all game
• Zero goals at 5 on 5. Two power play goals and one with the goalie pulled. Not great!
• Nick Foligno left the game in the second and did not return. Not great news for a player who has already had a couple injuries this season. I wonder if it was from the straight right he ate in the fight with Sam Carrick, that was a clean connection on the jaw
• John Gibson is one of the most underrated goaltenders

Bruins head out for a three-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars. The matchup with Colorado will be a big one and a true test for the Bruins going against one of the top dogs in the Western Conference.

But let’s pump the brakes on the hasty Rask reactions for now.