Bruins drop fifth straight

The Boston Bruins have entered a full on skid. On Thursday night, the Bruins’ woes continued with a 3-2 loss to the Lightning in Tampa.

Boston is 0-4-1 in their last five games and the late magic that had seen them overwhelm most every team ahead of the skid, has disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“I think we know the kind of team we are,” Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy. “We know we’re a special group. These things happen, what we’re going through right now. Trying to find a recipe to get back in the win column. It’s just a handful of games in December, so a little bit of perspective goes along way, but at the same time, we want to win.”

On Thursday,Steven Stamkos had two goals and Brayden Point added a single marker in the victory.

“I think we’re working really hard and paying attention to detail,” Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli said. “I think it starts in practice, we’ve been practicing pretty hard and trying to get better. It’s been showing the last couple of games.”

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves in the win.

Patrice Bergeron and John Moore scored for the Bruins who dropped to 20-7-9.

“Can’t put it on the forwards or on the [defensemen], [the Lightning] just started making plays,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Penalty kill just didn’t have an answer tonight, all night. They scored twice and probably should’ve scored another.”

[WATCH: All Bruins vs. Lightning highlights]

Tuukka Rask made 28 saves in the loss.

“I don’t sense too much frustration. It [stinks] to lose,” Rask  said. “We all hate to lose here. But we’ve played decent. You’re not going to win them all. Obviously, you’re not going to go 80-3 or whatever. Obviously, you don’t want to lose too many games in a row, you want to put a stop to it, but it’s been a tough road trip. We’ve got one more game left, hopefully we can finish it off on a high note and then go home.”