Life after Tim Thomas is going OK. Tuukka Rask made another 30 saves Thursday night, pocketed another win (his 11th), 2-1, over the Senators at the Garden, and further solidified his standing as the able-and-willing successor to the guy who left Causeway Street in an abrupt, exhausted huff after winning one Stanley Cup and two Vezina trophies.
“Right now,’’ said Boston coach Claude Julien, “no doubt I have the same confidence in him.’’
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Is it possible to thank the Maple Leafs enough for all they've done for the Bruins? Tuuka, Tyler and Dougie for Raycroft and Kessel? Thank you big blue of the north country.
Tuukka Rask was always going to be OK for the regular season. He's about as technically sound as any goalie I've ever seen; staying square, not overexerting mentally or physically by relying on mechanics is key to his regular season success. What Julien is talking about at the end of the article, of course, is that playoff hockey and regular season games are two totally different animals for goaltenders. Mechanics get you there, but you have to battle through a best of 7 series. Tuukka Rask is phenominal, I can't say that enough. But anyone who watched games in 2010 knows that he struggles deeply when he gets rattled and its painfully obvious to opposing teams. I'm confident he can overcome it; perhaps being THE no. 1 will help - there's no Tim Thomas watching from the bench ready to relieve him. I am behind Tuukka 1000% and am thrilled to have been there to watch his ascent from Providence to today. He was special then - you could see it. He's special now but we all anxiously await the real test come playoffs.