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Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask Off To Strong Start

By Andrew Thompson

Oct 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save as New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique (14) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) look for the rebound during the third period of the Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save as New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique (14) and Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) look for the rebound during the third period of the Boston Bruins 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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When it comes to Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, there are two camps among the fans. One group believes Rask is still a Vezina-quality goalie, and the other wants him shipped out of Boston.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask is the most polarizing player on the current roster. Some fans believe that Rask will be able to improve his game over last season. Others believe that the Bruins should try to move him and his seven million dollar cap hit as soon as humanely possible.

Rask is coming off his worst season in the NHL.  Rask went 31-22-8 last season, with a 2.56 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. That put him near the bottom for starting goaltenders in the league.

With numbers like that, the Boston media (often over-eager to crucify players) began calling for his head.

It wasn’t all Rask’s fault. The Bruins blueline had some serious issues last season. Those gaps in the defense left a lot of holes open. Those lapses cost the Bruins critical points, and the B’s missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

Still, the Bruins organization had faith in Rask. They didn’t try to move him in the offseason (partly because they didn’t have much faith in Malcolm Subban).  They found him a reliable backup in Anton Khudobin and hoped for the best.

Rask didn’t have the strongest start to this season. He missed the very first shot on goal put against him.  That got some fans tweeting for his removal and dismissal (and a few were even sanctioning deportation) from the Bruins.

Rask turned it around during the game. While he did let in two other goals that night, the Bruins offense poured on the power, putting in six goals in their season opener.  It got the Bruins their first win of the season.

Tuukka has played in three games this season so far. At the moment, his numbers are impressive. He’s won all three games he started in. He’s stopped 90 of 95 shots on net (.947 save %). He’s got a solid 1.67 goals against average early in the season.  Rask has already earned himself Star of the Game Honors for his wins in Winnipeg (1st Star) and Boston (3rd Star).

Next: Patrice Bergeron Has A Solid Debut in Boston

It’s a strong start for Rask so far. Hopefully this will earn him some grudging respect from the angrier side of the Bruins fan base.

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