A four-goal lead in the third period is supposed to be safe, right?
The Bruins found out that wasn't the case Tuesday night, as they suffered an unprecedented collapse against the Panthers, allowing four goals in the third — including the game-tying goal with just 1:39 to play — before losing in a shootout for their fourth straight defeat.
It's only the ninth time in NHL history that a team lost after blowing a four-goal third-period lead at home, and it's the first time the Bruins have ever lost in such a fashion.
While it was a brutal loss, it wasn't as awful as Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, but Tuukka Rask still managed to evoke that memory in jest after the game.
When asked about a second period incident in which the TD Garden lights briefly went out while the Panthers were attacking on the power play, Rask mustered up some humor.
“That should’ve happened in Game 7 of the Final,” Rask said with a laugh. “That’s never happened. First time today, I guess. It was weird.”
Boston Bruins
While the line was a moment of levity after a heartbreaking defeat, there's nothing funny about how Rask and the Bruins are playing lately. They're mired in their longest losing streak since getting bounced out of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Rask has lost three straight starts with a 3.92 GAA and .868 save percentage.
Their next chance to snap out of it comes Friday night against the Maple Leafs.
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