To say that Tuukka Rask has struggled this season would be a gross understatement.
Coming into Sunday’s game against the Islanders, Rask had lost each of his last two games and he had allowed three goals or more in seven of nine starts.
Fortunately for Boston, Rask took a big step forward against the Isles as he kicked aside 36 of 37 shots in Sunday’s 2-1 victory.
Former Bruin Johnny Boychuk spoiled Rask’s bid for a shutout with a rocket from the point during a 5-on-3 man-advantage in the third period.
After the game, the 28-year-old goaltender admitted that this was the best he’s felt all season.
Tuukka Rask: "I was good... best I've felt in a long time."
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) November 9, 2015
Patrice Bergeron also played a key role in Sunday’s win.
The 30-year-old picked up an assist on Ryan Spooner’s first period goal and added a goal of his own in the second frame.
Bergeron finished the game with two points, four penalty minutes, seven shots on goal and one hit while winning 62 percent of his face-offs.
The win puts an end to Boston’s three-game losing streak.
As for the Islanders, they didn’t play a bad game, but again, they struggled to produce offensively.
“We can say we played well, that we had some really good chances against a good goalie -- it’s getting old and repetitive saying that,” Travis Hamonic said. “We have to find a way to battle through. Our only choice is to keep working and get through it and get a couple more goals.”
The Isles have found the back of the net just five times in their last four games and they’ve scored two goals or less in six straight contests.
Predictably, New York has just one win in those six games.