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Boston Bruins Are Burning Out Tuukka Rask

By Richard Cardinale

Nov 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) takes a sip of water during the second period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) takes a sip of water during the second period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins starting goaltender Tuukka Rask needs a rest but will he get one?

The Boston Bruins are not in a great position in the standings as they sit in 3rd place in the Atlantic with 58 points. Usually that means you’re in the playoffs and everything is awesome right? Not when your Boston. Entering tonight’s action, there is no team that’s played more than the B’s. With team’s like Toronto and Ottawa having 6 games at hand and teams like Philadelphia and Florida having 3 games at hand, the Bruins need to start going on a run before it’s too late.

One thing that is preventing them from that run is the play from backup goaltending.

All Star Tuukka Rask has started the 2nd most games in the NHL with 43 games started. With a record of 25-13-4, a goals against average of 2.24 and save percentage of .914, He’s been one of the NHL’s best goaltenders since the start of the season.

While Tuukka has been rock solid for much of the season. His counterparts have not. Zane McIntyre, Anton Khudobin and Malcolm Subban have combined for a grand total of one win in 54 of the teams games played.

Let me repeat that. Its February 2nd and the team has gotten 1 win from backup goaltending. This is a major issue.

Lets rewind to this time last season when Jonas Gustavsson was the backup goalie. Gustavsson made 16 starts and won 10 games with last years club. 10 wins last year versus 1 win this year? Big difference.

As a result, Tuukka Rask is forced to play much more than anyone ever expected. On top of that, Rask has been playing with injury since the start of the season and looks to have aggravated his groin in last nights contest with Washington.

When I asked Tuukka Rask if he tweaked something in 3rd period: “Yeah, I’m alright. I just popped my groin a little bit, but nothing major.”

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) February 2, 2017
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Have the Bruins pushed Rask too hard? Maybe. The B’s have yet to give us updates on Rask and 1st line centermen Patrice Bergeron who was also injured in last nights tilt. The team obviously doesn’t want to affect any long-term health with their franchise netminder.

Assuming Tuukka’s healthy enough, Here’s what I think the Bruins should do. With the team in tough spot in the standings and a big game upcoming with the Toronto Maple Leafs you naturally have to play Rask. This could be a game that’s looked upon at the end of the season. From there, you play Tuukka in 2 of the next 3 games before Boston’s bye week. With a 4 day gap between Saturdays game against the Leafs and Thursdays game with San Jose, Rask could see lots of rest in-between. If it were me, I’d play McIntyre on Saturday against Vancouver and give Tuukka the Sharks and Canadiens. This will give Rask plenty of time to heal any bumps and bruises before the team heads out on their Pacific coast road trip.

Next: How Will The Boston Bruins Approach The Expansion Draft?

Rask needs some time on the bench but with points at a premium for the rest of the season what choice does Head Coach Claude Julien have? Does General Manager Don Sweeney go out and get a proven backup goaltender at the trade deadline at the end of the month? How should the Bruins approach this sticky situation?

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