Boston Bruins: Decision to start Tuukka Rask in Game 6 was a no-brainer

Tuukka Rask, arguably the best goaltender in Boston Bruins‘ history, has not had an easy career. To start, he had to sit behind Tim Thomas after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2005 draft then being traded to the B’s for fellow goalie Andrew Raycroft in June of 2006.

Since taking over the B’s starting gig in 2012-13, things haven’t gotten any easier for Rask. While he’s been able to take the Black and Gold to the playoffs in seven of the nine seasons, him and Boston have come up short each year, making it to the Stanley Cup Finals twice but not winning the Cup.

This has led to the opinion that Rask isn’t a winner, despite having the most playoff wins and highest playoff save percentage (SV%) in B’s history, because he, unlike Thomas, has failed to win a Cup.

After last season in which Rask left the Toronto bubble to be with his family due to a medical emergency with his daughter, the Rask haters went even further with their accusations, saying that he isn’t committed to the sport of hockey and the team. They cited his “tantrums” saying he is a prima donna.

However, these allegations seemed to be put to rest this season as Rask played very well, fought through some injuries, and has been great in the playoffs despite nagging injuries.

But, with not being 100%, Rask was obviously not on his game in Game 5 against the New York Islanders and was pulled from the game after giving up four goals on 16 shots. Rookie Jeremy Swayman started the third period of the game, but took the loss as the B’s came back and scored four goals. Swayman allowed one goal on three shots.

With Rask not being 100%, fans have been calling for Swayman to start tonight’s Game 6 in which the Black and Gold can be eliminated from the playoffs. However, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed earlier today that Rask will start tonight as he’s healthy enough to start — honestly, a no-brainer decision.

Tuukka Rask’s stats in Bruins’ elimination games on the road are impressive.

Overall, Rask hasn’t been very good in games in which the B’s could be eliminated. Over 12 career elimination games, Rask has a 6-6 record with a .899 SV%, saving just 294 of 327 shots.

However, his home and away splits for these games are night and day.

Four of these games were on the road. In these games, Rask holds a 3-1 record with a .940 SV% as he saved 110 of 117 shots. In the eight homes games, Rask has a 3-5 record with a .876 SV% as he saved only 184 out of 210 shots.

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With this being an away elimination game, Cassidy probably feels quite confident in starting Rask tonight despite him not being 100%.

However, the argument doesn’t just end in home and away splits as we can break it down to Game 5’s, Game 6’s, and Game 7’s as well.

All of Rask’s six Game 7’s have come at home. In these games, Rask holds a 3-3 record with a .867 SV% (saved 130 out of 150 shots). Over two game fives in which were both on the road, Rask is 1-1 with a .938 SV% (stopped 60 out of 64 shots).

Game 6 is where Rask has played in front of both a home and road crowd. Here, he holds a 2-2 record with a .920 SV% as he stopped 104 of 113 shots. At home, Rask is 0-2 with a .900 SV% (saved 54 out of 60 shots). On the road, Rask is 2-0 with a .943 SV% (stopped 50 out of 53 shots).

*All games were games in which the Bruins could be eliminated.*

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So, while it’s a fairly small sample size, it’s easy to see why Cassidy is going with Rask tonight despite him obviously being hindered by his injuries in Game 5. In situations like tonight, Rask is 2-0 with a .943 SV%.

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