Bruins' Tuukka Rask: Defending net Thursday

Rask will make his ninth straight start Thursday against the visiting Penguins.

Analysis:

Rask isn't experiencing the type of proficiency that he enjoyed earlier in the season despite his defense doing all it can to help him out -- the Finn hasn't faced more than 27 shots in a game since Dec. 29, but he has only a 5-5-1 record over that span. Even when Rask is good, he still sometimes records losses because the 23rd-ranked Bruins offense averages only 2.45 goals per game, providing very little support for him. It might not get easier Thursday, either, as Pittsburgh averages a league-leading 3.55 goals per game.