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Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask Among Top Goaltenders This Season

By Andrew Thompson

Oct 4, 2016; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Videotron. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) during the second period of a preseason hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Videotron. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has shaken off the rust of his disappointing last season and is once again becoming a premier goaltender in the National Hockey League.

“Tuukka Rask missed time because of soreness but came back and looked like he never left. And you know he came back early from the injury as well. He had a 24-save shutout against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday and then made 33 saves and allowed one against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday and three goals in a 4-3 shootout win against the Lightning on Thursday. Rask is 6-0-0 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .951 save percentage. When he is at this level, it’s a clear indicator of two things; how good he is, and how much the Bruins need and depend on him.” – Kevin Weekes (Analyst for NHL Network) on Rask’s performance this season.

The Boston Bruins have seen two disappointing seasons in a row. They failed to make the playoffs two years ago, and lost to a tie-breaker last year. With so many new players in the lineup, the Bruins were going to need an amazing year from their goaltenders.

The Bruins weren’t entirely sure if either Malcolm Subban or Zane McIntyre would be ready this year, so they hired Anton Khudobin back to backseat Tuukka Rask. There were hopes that Khudobin could give the Bruins a few solid performances while giving Rask some time to breathe.

So far, everyone but Rask has been underwhelming. Khudobin is 0-2,with a 4.10 goals against average and a .849 save percentage. Zane McIntyre is 0-1, with a 4.72 goals against average and a .854 save percentage. That’s beer league bad. That’s pretty close to Al Montoya in Columbus bad.

Thankfully, Rask has been a wizard in the crease. The team has had some serious defensive lapses, and Rask has been there to bail them out most of the time. He’s allowed only nine goals in six games. He’s got an outstanding .951 save percentage and an amazing 1.48 goals against average.

So, where does that place Rask among NHL goaltenders? Among goaltenders who have played in at least five games, Rask’s numbers put him among the elite in the NHL.  He second in save percentage (behind Carey Price), his goals against average is also second, and he’s tied for second in overall wins.

He also leads all goaltenders with two points this season. Something you’d expect to see from a player like Martin Brodeur, not Tuukka Rask.

Rask has been asked to do more than he has in his time with the Bruins. He’s been asked to backstop a team full of young talent. He’s being asked to work with roughly the same blueline he had last year (their biggest flaw), and he’ll likely be asked to work another 60-70 game season.

If he can keep up this kind of performance (or stay anywhere near it), he’ll certainly be a finalist for the Vezina at the end of the season. Rask has gone from worst to first and it could have happened at a better time for the Black and Gold.

Next: Boston Bruins Fans: Be FanSided's Fan Of The Year!

Finally, I’d like to go off topic for just a moment. This Bruins fan would like to thank and congratulate the Columbus Blue Jackets for their surprise 10-0 shellacking of the Montreal Canadiens.  Way to go Columbus.

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