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NostraDavis‘ Boston Bruins player to watch vs Colorado: Tuukka Rask

By Davis Legree |
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 11: Tuukka Rask
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 11: Tuukka Rask

Welcome to a segment called “Player to Watch with NostraDavis.”  Here I’ll take a look at a specific Boston Bruins player to watch for the upcoming game. Tonight, the Bruins look for vengeance against Semyon Varlamov and the Avs. After being severely out performed last game, fans should look for Tuukka Rask to bounce back.

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 23: Tuukka Rask
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 23: Tuukka Rask /

Boston Bruins goalie Rask had a poor showing last game against Colorado. Was he the reason the Bruins got dominated? No. However, Rask has to be better than he’s been if the Boston Bruins are to have success this year. A portion of Bruins fans have been calling for him to be traded for quite a while now. That reaction may be inappropriate as Rask has proved to be a premier netminder in the NHL, over the last half decade.

It is for this reason that the Bruins faithful need not worry and expect a rebound from their beloved “Tuuuuuuuka”. Rask currently carries a .882 save percentage, and a 3.01 GAA. These numbers are sure to improve from only two games into the season, but they are a testament to Tuukka’s indifferent play thus far. Tonight, expect a solid outing from Tuukka resulting in a near shutout, improving his stats.

The Opponent

One reason this is probable is that, despite the last game, Colorado is not very good. They are largely forecasted to finish in the basement of the Western Conference, again.

Their lineup is not full of seasoned scorers. The combo of underperforming first overall picks (see Nathan Mackinnon, and Nail Yakupov), an untested D corps (see Patrik Nemeth, and Chad Bigras) and overpaid Swedes (see Gabriel Landeskog, and Carl Soderberg) is underwhelming and, normally, ineffective. This team finished last in goals scored the previous season, and no offseason moves have appeared to change that.

BOSTON – OCTOBER 9: Colorado Avalanche right wing Nail Yakupov (64) slows the puck on his breakaway score with Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) looking on during the third period. The Boston Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Oct. 9, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – OCTOBER 9: Colorado Avalanche right wing Nail Yakupov (64) slows the puck on his breakaway score with Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) looking on during the third period. The Boston Bruins host the Colorado Avalanche in a regular season NHL hockey game at TD Garden in Boston on Oct. 9, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

This is a team that goalies salivate at the thought of playing, and Rask should be doing the same today. One of the league’s better goalies against the league’s worst scoring team, the outcome should be predictable. Keep in mind that many thought the same of last game, then Rask and the B’s proceeded to get trounced 4-0. This is hockey after all, anything can happen.

It should be noted that although Rask has historically fared poorly against the Avs, he has never lost in regulation in the Pepsi Center.

Verdict

Rask is the most critical player on the Bruins roster this year, pertaining to overall team success.  This means that if he wants to get off to a solid start this season, and give the B’s a winning record for the year, he needs to bounce back tonight.

Next: Causeway gameday! Bruins at Avs

It is for these reasons that Rask is today’s “Player to Watch” in the matchup against the Avs.

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