That was a frustrating one.
The Blue Jackets didn't have any trouble generating chances last night.
Unfortunately, the man in the crease for Boston didn't have any trouble stifling the vast majority of them. Tuukka Rask made 39 saves and stonewalled the Blue Jackets all night, save for a controversial first period goal from Artemi Panarin. The puck hit the netting in the build up to the goal, and no whistle was blown.
Rask shut down a Blue Jackets power play that has been electric throughout the postseason, stopping all four of Columbus's man advantage opportunities.
"(Rask) made some big saves at key times," said Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella.
The long night for the Blue Jackets began when Boone Jenner saw his penalty shot saved by Rask's blocker — which would have made the score 1-1 in the first period, and could have turned the momentum of the game. Jenner drew the penalty shot while the Blue Jackets were shorthanded, and the Bruins would go on to score on that power play only 20 seconds later.
The 2-0 hole that the Blue Jackets found themselves in would be too much to overcome, in large part due to Rask's heroics.
Sergei Bobrovsky has turned in some outstanding performances in the postseason and in this series, but Rask bested him last night, subjecting the Blue Jackets to the same treatment that Bobrovsky gave to the Bruins in the first three games.
This series has turned into a battle of the goaltenders, and Rask won the decision on Thursday night — but the battle is far from over.
The Blue Jackets will look to get the best of Rask and the Bruins on Saturday night in Game 5.
