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For Tuukka Rask and the Bruins, a ‘bad goal’ at the worst possible time

New Jersey Devils v Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 20: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins tends net against New Jersey Devils during the second period at TD Garden on October 20, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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The growing ranks of Tuukka Rask detractors gained some serious ammunition during last night’s loss to Tampa Bay.

The deciding goal in the 6-3 defeat was a “bad one,” according to Rask and most anyone else who was watching.

It may have been a hard shot by Jonathan Drouin, unleashed at the top of the circle, but it still should’ve been stopped.

After the game, Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters that Rask “needed to be better tonight.”

In fact, Rask hasn’t been very good the past few months. Since Jan. 1, his save percentage is just .888. But with nobody trustworthy behind him, he’s had to just play through his struggles.

It’s impossible to say if Rask’s numbers would be better if the Bruins had a more capable backup. He’d be more rested, though. And when he was struggling, the coach would at least have another option to consider. With an .897 save percentage on the season, Anton Khudobin simply hasn’t been reliable enough to garner that consideration.

Don’t expect Rask to get the next game off. Saturday in Brooklyn, the Bruins -- losers of four straight in regulation, and suddenly on the verge of falling out of the playoff picture -- face the Islanders in arguably the biggest game of both teams’ seasons.