After a better second period in which the Bruins had a 12-11 SOG edge and tied the score with a Patrice Bergeron goal, Boston played with very little intensity in the third period for a team desperate for two points. Boston had a season-low two shots on goal in the final 20 minutes of regulation, including a single shot attempt from 6:24 through 13:15 of the period.

In total, the Bruins went 34:26 without a shot on goal in 40 minutes of hockey between the first and third periods.

2. Tuukka Rask Not to Blame

Tuukka Rask was Boston’s best player by a wide margin. The Bruins’ netminder made 35 saves on 36 shots through regulation and overtime for a .972 save percentage.

Bruins defensemen were pinned in their own zone all game, which forced Rask to make a number of saves on high-quality Carolina scoring chances. Rask helped the Bruins force overtime and secure one point with nine saves in the third period (Boston was outshot 9-2 in that frame).

Boston has won just three of the last eight games in which Rask has given up two goals or fewer. Rask hasn’t played at Vezina Trophy level on a consistent basis this season, but he’s nowhere near the main problem with this team. He’s given the Bruins a chance to win in the majority of his starts.

3. Bad Luck in Shootout

The Bruins have lost two of the last three games in shootouts and failed to score a goal in three attempts Sunday.

Reilly Smith, Torey Krug and Patrice Bergeron all were denied on shootout attempts by former Bruins goaltender Anton Khudobin.

Boston is 2-4 in shootouts this season and its 21.7 shooting percentage ranks 23rd in the NHL. The Bruins were 3-6-7 with a 19.7 shooting percentage in shootouts last season.

4. Patrice Bergeron is the Bruins’ Scoring Leader Again

Bergeron was another bright spot in Sunday’s disappointing loss. He scored Boston’s only goal, was on the ice for 13 Bruins shots for, 11 against at even strength (plus-2 Corsi) and won a team-high 67 percent (18-for-27) of his faceoffs in 19:49 of ice time.

The veteran center has tallied 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his last 13 games. He leads the Bruins in scoring with 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists) in 39 games.

Thumbnail photo via James Guillory/USA TODAY Sports Images