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Boston Bruins: Welcome Back Tuukka Rask

By Andrew Thompson

Oct 17, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) celebrates a victory over the Winnipeg Jets after the third period at the MTS Centre. Boston won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) celebrates a victory over the Winnipeg Jets after the third period at the MTS Centre. Boston won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Bruins needed a big win from their number one goaltender last night.  Tuukka Rask served up that win, stopping all 24 shots in a 1-0 win over the Red Wings.

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The Boston Bruins were really hoping for a bounce back year from Tuukka Rask. Last season saw Rask among the worst number one goaltenders in the NHL. Rask’s .915 save percentage wasn’t going to cut it if the Bruins wanted to have a turnaround from the last two seasons.

It’s still too early in the season to exonerate Rask. That being said, he’s been rather amazing in the crease. Rask has won every game he’s started in this season (while the B’s have lost every game that Rask hasn’t started).  With his shutout win over Detroit, Rask is currently sporting a 1.26 goals against average, and has a .958 save percentage.

Rask’s numbers mark him as one of the hottest goaltenders in the NHL.  With the possible exception of Brad Marchand, Rask has been the best player on the team so far this season.  It looks as if he’s aiming for a Vezina trophy with his performance on the ice. Hopefully, this will silence some of the ‘Trade/Trash Tuukka’ camp for the time being.

Zdeno Chara is certainly thankful for Tuukka’s return. The Bruins captain created an ugly turnover by serving up a soft pass that ended up on the stick of Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader.  Rask stopped the Abelkader shot and then quickly kicked out a leg to stop a backhanded attempt from Dylan Larkin in the same sequence.

The win helped the Boston Bruins snap their three game losing streak while ending the Red Wings six game winning streak. The 1-0 victory puts the Bruins back to .500 on the season.

Rask’s shutout was the 31st of his career. This now ties him with Tim Thomas for third in most career shutouts by a Boston Bruins goaltender.

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