Now that Jonas Gustavsson has joined the Boston Bruins in hopes to becoming the back up net minder, Bruins fans can breathe a little easier. However, when looking at the other teams in the Atlantic Division, are Tuukka Rask and Jonas Gustavsson a top tandem?
Puck Prose
The answer is yes. Everyone knows who and what Tuukka Rask is. He is worth every penny he is given every year and is capable of winning a game on his own. With Jonas Gustavsson as the back up, the Bruins should have confidence going into every game this upcoming season.
The only tandem in the Atlantic Division that I will be putting ahead of the Bruins is the rival Montreal Canadiens. The year of Carey Price cannot be ignored, nor can the trust they have put in their back up prospect, Dustin Tokarski. Tuukka Rask is more than capable of having a better year statistically than the Montreal starter, but because of how last year went, the edge must be given to Price.
Ben Bishop, of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been outstanding for his club ever since he was given the starting responsibilities. He was a huge reason why they got most of their regular season wins and why they made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. I have the Boston Bruins goalies ranked higher than the Tampa Bay Lightning simply because I still think that Rask is a better goalie overall. However, don’t be surprised if Ben Bishop finishes this year’s regular season with a Vezina nomination.
Mar 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson (50) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Up next are two tandems that use both goalies quite a bit. The Detroit Red Wings, with Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer, are in situations where they have two capable starting goalies. This will keep things as competitive as possible which means that they will always have a hot goalie playing for them. This makes them a threat every night they play. Although some might believe that Toronto is in for a pretty rough year this season, it does not dismiss the fact that their goaltending remains solid.
The Florida Panthers have Roberto Luongo, who put together a decent season last year and most likely will again this year. He is not the goalie he use to be so he does not rank with the likes of Price, Rask or Bishop. However, like every year, he and the Florida Panthers will most likely be in the playoff run until April and may even sneak in.
Apr 11, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Ottawa Senators were in a tough situation this summer with their goaltenders, and I believe that they made the worst decision they could have made. Robin Lehner was the goalie of their future. They groomed him for years for the day that he would replace Craig Anderson. Then, Andrew Hammond appeared and had a tremendous half season, leading the Senators into the playoffs. Now, the Senators are hoping that Hammond and the fragile, injury prone, Craig Anderson can work miracles for them again. I am not saying that it isn’t possible, I am saying that out of the three goalies that they had, they got rid of their best one.
Speaking of which, rounding out the goalie rankings is the Buffalo Sabres tandem of Robin Lehner and, former Bruin, Chad Johnson. Buffalo is looking excellent with all of their great potential and, with the addition of a young, NHL ready Lehner, they won’t have to wait much longer before they become competitive again. It may not be this year, but the Atlantic Division better start preparing for the siege of the Sabres.
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Goalies Rankings
1. Montreal Canadiens
2. Boston Bruins
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
6. Florida Panthers
7. Ottawa Senators
8. Buffalo Sabres
Yes, the position in goal remains Boston’s strongest roster spot and, with the acquisition of Jonas Gustavsson, becomes the position with the least amount of question marks looming over it. There is still the injury issues of Gustavsson to consider, but, with three semi-reliable goalies in the system, it becomes less of a concern. Tuukka Rask has the reputation of being one of the top goaltenders in the entire NHL. We will need him to prove that, again, to us this year more than ever before.
Take a look at the Atlantic Division Rankings for offense and defense. For more access to the Boston Bruins, follow 29Bruins on Twitter.