Cassidy makes excuses for Rask after Game 5 loss, hints at a possible change in Game 6

It wasn't exactly the memorable playoff performance that Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask was hoping for this evening in Game 5 against the New York Islanders.

The embattled B's goalie allowed four goals and was pulled in favour of rookie Jeremy Swayman after just 40 minutes of play. The Bruins would go on to lose the game 5-4 and are now behind 3-2 in the best of seven series. As for Rask, it was assumed that he had some sort of injury or ailment when he missed the team's game day skate earlier today and head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed as much in his post-game remarks.

Check it out:

Rask was 6-3 with a 1.94 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in nine games in the playoffs entering this evening's contest. It's clear that he wasn't at his best tonight and, frankly, you have to be concerned about his status for Game 6. Do you go back to Rask again if he's not 100%? One wrong misstep and your entire season in over now. Then again... can you trust a rookie in Swayman? Frankly, I think Bruins fans just have to cross their fingers and send up a couple Hail Mary prayers that Rask is healthy enough in Game 6 to get the job done. And if he's not... hold onto your seats. 

Rask has never been the most revered athlete in Boston and there is a large contingent of Bruins fans who want him driven out of town on the next Greyhound. The tipping point obviously was last post-season when Rask left the NHL's playoff bubble to reunite with his family and if the Bruins bow out of the post-season because of Rask again this year, Bruins fans will be out for blood. The problem is... when Rask is on his game, both mentally and physically, he's one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. Even the most sour Bruins fan has to admit that Rask is capable of some outstanding things. But whether or not he gets to continue with career with the Bruins beyond this post-season remains to be seen.