Kalman: Red-Hot Rask Ready For Canadiens If Bruins Give Him The Start
By Matt Kalman, CBS Boston
The Bruins have won four of their past five games. The last time they faced their archrival Montreal Canadiens, they were outplayed 4-2 with Anton Khudobin filling in for an injured Tuukka Rask in net.
Fresh off downing the Buffalo Sabres on Monday 4-0 at TD Garden behind 32 saves by Rask, the Bruins departed for Montreal. When they hit the ice against the Canadiens on Tuesday, there's only one goaltender that should lead them onto the surface: Rask.
"I can't answer that right now," Bruins coach Claude Julien said when asked if Rask would face Montreal.
Rask has made five straight starts since he missed three games with an undisclosed injury that's rumored to be something affecting his knee or hamstring. He's won four of those five starts, including two shutouts.
He said he's physically fit to make starts on back-to-back nights. But the decision whether he will play in Montreal isn't his. However, when pressed to influence Julien's decision, Rask didn't exactly shy away.
"But you know it's one of those games that I don't think any player really wants to miss because it is a big rivalry and they're a great team. So definitely don't want to miss that but we'll see," Rask said.
The way Rask is playing, the Bruins need him to start every night, especially in the divisional games and the rivalry games. He's now 7-1-0 with a .941 save percentage and 1.74 goals-against average. His 5-on-5 save percentage is .962.
In the five games since his return he has a .938 save percentage. Rask's historic start – which included his first 6-0-0 start to a season and his 32nd career shutout (moving him into third all-time on the Bruins' list) – is more amazing because he was off the ice for almost a week. Most players can't stand to miss even a single day without gathering a little rust. Rask hasn't missed a beat.
"I just try to stay focused and not get too carried away. I think that's the biggest answer, best answer I can give you," Rask said. "That's the toughest part because then you start thinking 'am I going to be as good as I was?' and then you've lost the battle already. So that's something I tried to avoid."
Rask has avoided a lull since his return and the Bruins have sparked by his return and his sensational play. Suddenly the defense corps, which is still a work-in-progress, has more confidence and is better able to both defend the slot area and make plays coming out of the zone to reduce pressure.
Of course, there are still plenty of breakdowns. Rask had to make 14 saves, including several from danger areas, in the third period against Buffalo. In the second period he used his blocker to swat away a Brian Gionta breakaway during a Boston power play.
But the Bruins power play (3-for-8 after going 3-for-38 in the first 11 games) provided Rask with an offensive cushion and he took care of the rest.
He acknowledged that early in the season the Bruins don't want to burn him out, but with Khudobin injured there's not much choice but to ride their $7 million hot hand. Zane McIntyre might be ready to make another start at some point, but not in Montreal. The Bruins have games against Columbus, Arizona and Colorado coming up – not exactly the cream of the NHL. The rookie can try his hand against one of those teams.
Regardless of Rask's 5-15-3 record, 2.69 GAA and .909 save percentage in his career in the regular season against Montreal, Rask gives the Bruins the best chance to beat the Canadiens. He's red-hot and the Bruins need a victory against one of the best teams in the League.
Rask can take plenty of time to rest after Tuesday. The Bruins have to give him the start in Montreal.
Matt Kalman covers the Bruins for CBSBoston.com and also contributes to NHL.com and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @MattKalman.