Not everyone hates Rask....it's more a media-hyped thing where some people look for click-bait, and a lot of the uneducated masses agree with them. When we fell in 2013 to Chicago, they didn't see that the Bruins were gassed, that Patrice Bergeron was playing with a fractured rib, punctured lung, and who knows what else. No, they saw a [more talented] Chicago team score two quick goals late in the 3rd, when the defense broke down. And yes, Rask let in the goals.
But if you look at that year, the Bruins swept a heavily-favored Penguins team full on the back of a stellar performance from Rask. Same with much of this year, Rask was lights out in so many ways. Some of it is the Bruins defensive system, but a lot is him.
So, some real fans know how good he is, but the casual or media-inspired fans jump on him. And they make more noise.
As for this series, the Blues got away with a ton, because they are a naturally-heavy-playing team. And after the Vegas fiasco earlier, I don't think that ANY ref would call a 5-minute-and-game in any other series. The games they won both against San Jose and in this series (before last night), they won due in a large part to 1) knocking out players, and 2) getting away with a ton of holds and other penalties to prevent the Sharks and Bruins from executing (both on offense, and defense sometimes).
It really was too bad, because I think the Bruins would have taken the series in 5, maybe 6, had the calls been more accurate and consistent.
All that said, two things are important to note: 1) the Blues played VERY well last night. Yes, still some penalties that could have been called, but it wasn't as over-the-edge as other games; and they played a very smart forecheck and middle-clogging game; and of course Binnington had another great rebound game. And then 2) the Bruins' top 2 lines were near-no-shows. Some rumors have injuries to Bergeron and Marchand limiting them, but they and others were generally missing in action. If they were "on" just a tiny bit more, I also believe the series would have been over before 7 games. That the Bruins even got to 7 without their top two lines functioning is a testament to Rask and their depth.
So congratulations to the Blues. There are several I like on their team, O'Reilly I don't mind even despite a drunk driving accident (he had been rumored to be reckless and a bit wild outside the game but seems to have come down to earth) with him running into a Tim Horton's. But I really dislike Berube, Ott (coaches, both ass-wipes and dirty players), as well as people like Perron (running the goalie a couple times, lots of over-the-edge play), Schenn (also over the edge, and went high on Chara several times trying for his broken jaw), and a couple others (the 2 suspended players).
Bleah.....