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Bruins getting by on backs of goalie duo |
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With the amount of injuries the Bruins have faced on their blue line this season, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if the Bruins had issues keeping the puck out of their net.
But as the Bruins continue to lose bodies while others near a return, there’s been one consistent during this odd streak of injuries: the goaltending.
The combination of Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have been exactly what the Bruins have needed as they grind through difficult times. The Bruins have won three of their last four and finished November earning a least one point in nine of 13 contests.
As much as the Bruins have struggled offensively, (27th with 2.72 goals per game) they’ve been the best defensive team in hockey, allowing 2.30 goals per game.
Thursday’s contest with the New York Islanders was the perfect example of how the 2018-19 Bruins win games. It was another 60+ minutes of goal scoring issues, and another 60+ minutes of goaltending paving the way.
After regulation failed to provide a winner, the Bruins were vastly outplayed in overtime, but in the extra frame it was all about Rask.
Rask made six of his 27 saves in overtime, but the shots faced in overtime were by far his toughest. Rask and the Bruins came out a little blah to start the first, but as the game rolled along, Rask got better before excelling in overtime. His saves in overtime allowed the Bruins to move on to the shootout where Ryan Donato scored the game winner in his return to the lineup after a stint in Providence.
“Listen, I thought he got better as the game went along. I thought none of us were sharp early, not that we were bad, we just weren’t executing to what I thought was up to our standard, the energy of our standard, and eventually we get behind,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy. “Tuukka was excellent. Overtime, obviously, is an issue for us in terms of what we give up. We’re not managing pucks well, we’re not reading rushes quick enough, and he made some huge saves.”
The Islanders thought they had the game won in overtime when a Matthew Barzal shot found its way past Rask, but the goal was immediately waived off as a falling Anthony Beauvillier interfered with Rask.
From there it was back-to-back massive saves on Barzal who was determined to end the game for real this time. But again, it was Rask standing tall.
“Yeah, just a shot and a breakaway. Shot and a breakaway, practice that a lot,” said Rask. “They created some room and had a couple of chances there. Lucky we held down and got the winning goal in the shootout. So, it’s a good win. I thought we played better for the most part.”
After a rough October, Rask has bounced back in November, but especially since returning from his three-day absence. In his four games since his return, Rask has gone 2-0-2 with a 1.70 goals-against average and a save percentage of .944.
“Mentally, he’s much more relaxed. Breaking him down technically, I don’t know. I’m not the best guy to ask that. He looks better but maybe that’s because he’s stopping pucks and generally when you stop pucks you usually do look better. I think it’s just a case where he’s fresh and physically feels good and is ready to go in there. I think mentally he knows that this time of year he tends to play good hockey,” added Cassidy.
If Rask’s prior history is any indication, December is going to be another hot month for Rask
Tuukka Rask’s career numbers by month
October: 24-23-4, 2.56 GAA, .913 SV %
November: 44-23-9, 2.12 GAA, .926 SV %
December: 41-16-9, 1.99 GAA, .931 SV %
January: 36-25-9, 2.43 GAA, .916 SV %
February: 37-17-8, 2.44 GAA, .918 SV %
March: 46-24-10, 2.18 GAA, .923 SV %
April: 16-13-6, 2.20 GAA, .925 SV %
“I don’t know. Maybe I just don’t want to play in October. I don’t know. You just kind of work hard in practice, try to get some shots and work with the goalie coach, and then when the game time comes, you try to be there,” said Rask. “Some days you are; some days you aren’t, and the past few games I have. It’s a mystery; I don’t know. I want to do it every night, but you know.”
Barring any more injuries, the Bruins are still about four to five weeks from a completely healthy blue line. The Bruins will need Rask and Halak to continue their ways if the Bruins want to stay afloat in the Atlantic division playoff race. They currently hold the East’s top Wild Card spot, four points behind Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic.
With Halak, the Bruins just need him to stay the course and continue the level of play he’s been at this season. He ranks second in the league with a 2.06 goals-against average and leads the league with a .936 save percentage.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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