Assuming Rask is Healthy to Start...

[Bruinfanatic]

All big games coming up so sure Rask will have something wrong with him anyway.

 

[ReggieMoto]

Wow was not expecting poll results to be this one-sided

I think there's been a healthy skepticism regarding Rask's abilities for the last several years. My assumption is people have been reluctant to voice their skepticism due to the attacks and labeling as "hater" that quickly follows.

I've never thought of Rask as an elite talent. I've always thought of him as a pretty good goalie and early on I even thought the team would do very well with him in net. I no longer believe this. I think that while he has pretty good technical skills he struggles mentally with the pressure of the game, especially the big ones. I also think his tires have been pumped to an over inflated pressure by previous management and the media.

In my view people are finally acknowledging and accepting the fact that like so many others on this team he is not a good finisher. He's a good NHL player that struggles to be great but isn't.

I don't think he's long for this team and my guess is the team is looking for someone to replace him with. And that won't be easy.

 

[TwineTickler]

I think your ride Anton. Rask sprinting off the ice in Toronto I believe left a real sour taste in my mouth and then his performance against the Lightning was just super subpar and yet again he manages to find himself unable to play in big games down the stretch. **** that. Time to move on from him IMO if Sweeney is able to do so this Summer.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

Rask.

Tuukka is an elite goalie.

Anton is an elite backup!!! B A C K U P.

Nashville are a much better "group" than the Islanders. Anton will get lit up like a Christmas tree. JMHO

Tuukka has tire tracks all over his back from all the turn coats throwing him under the bus...

Please stop with this elite nonsense, he hasn't been that for 3 years. He is no better then an average NHL goalie, if you don't believe me check out his stats. What's frustrating is I still believe that he is one of the most talented goalies in the NHL, unfortunately he is fragile when it comes to the mental aspect of the game.

 

[JOKER 192]

I told you all about Rask years ago, many of you laughed at me, ridiculed me, called me a hater. Funny thing is I still don't hate Rask. I just noticed he was not as "elite" as many here wanted us to believe.

Take your time Tuukka, we got a backup who actually wants to play.

 

[missingchicklet]

As well as Dobby has played, this team has no chance of making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs with him. He has done well in spot playing, and the defense has tightened up in his games. He has produced and given the Bs wins during his successful stretch. I voted to start Dobby against Nashville for two reasons. First, he is indeed hot and Rask is not. The team has rallied around him and has won a lot of games in a row with him in net. That cannot be overlooked. Second, the Bs have to have a healthy Rask if it wants to go anywhere in the playoffs. Give Rask another game or two to heal up. Tuukka is the better goalie and has shown this season he can still perform at an elite level. The key is getting him back to that point. If that means using a hot Dobby for a couple more games then that is what should be done. Who knows what Cassidy will do. He has a better feel of the situation than any of us, so I'm fine with whatever he decides. But from where I sit it seems more prudent to give Dobby at least the next game and see what happens. Regardless, I like both goalies and want the team to succeed no matter who is in net.

 

[DKH]

Cassidy has been excellent on his pressers and he did call out Rask but nowhere near I would term a cheap shot

 

[ReggieMoto]

As well as Dobby has played, this team has no chance of making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs with him...Second, the Bs have to have a healthy Rask if it wants to go anywhere in the playoffs.

I don't believe the level of play we've seen from any of this team's goalies this season has shown this team "making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs." Over and over we've read in this forum how tired and exhausted Rask is. Assuming these opinions have merit how would anyone expect him to carry the team through the tortuous play of the post-season?

The answer is no one should! My own opinion is this team's success in the post-season -- assuming there is a Bruins post-season -- will depend on both goalies and not just Rask. I will go as far as to say I put the team's chances for success more on the shoulders of Khudobin than on Rask, i.e. Rask potentially as backup to Khudobin. Of course, that depends on how well Rask can recover from whatever his problem is, which I'm not convinced he can.

Whether it's physical or mental, Rask is presently weak and despite moments of flashy brilliance he remains shaky as a reliable #1. What the team seems to have in net is a 2a/2b tandem in net. Good luck with that!

 

[bruinshoper]

As well as Dobby has played, this team has no chance of making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs with him. He has done well in spot playing, and the defense has tightened up in his games. He has produced and given the Bs wins during his successful stretch. I voted to start Dobby against Nashville for two reasons. First, he is indeed hot and Rask is not. The team has rallied around him and has won a lot of games in a row with him in net. That cannot be overlooked. Second, the Bs have to have a healthy Rask if it wants to go anywhere in the playoffs. Give Rask another game or two to heal up. Tuukka is the better goalie and has shown this season he can still perform at an elite level. The key is getting him back to that point. If that means using a hot Dobby for a couple more games then that is what should be done. Who knows what Cassidy will do. He has a better feel of the situation than any of us, so I'm fine with whatever he decides. But from where I sit it seems more prudent to give Dobby at least the next game and see what happens. Regardless, I like both goalies and want the team to succeed no matter who is in net.

Excellent post.

 

[22Brad Park]

Rask.

Tuukka is an elite goalie.

Anton is an elite backup!!! B A C K U P.

Nashville are a much better "group" than the Islanders. Anton will get lit up like a Christmas tree. JMHO

Tuukka has tire tracks all over his back from all the turn coats throwing him under the bus...

Bruins would not be near a playoff spot not for Rask in 1st half carrying them.I have faith in him these last 7 games..It's the defence that worries me. Very sketchy back 6

 

[LSCII]

Rask hasn't seemed to give a **** and has looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but in net lately. Ride Dobby until he loses. At least he looked like he wanted to be there. Let Rask take a nap on the bench. Maybe it will help him regain his compete level.

 

[rocketdan9]

Rask hasn't seemed to give a **** and has looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but in net lately. Ride Dobby until he loses. At least he looked like he wanted to be there. Let Rask take a nap on the bench. Maybe it will help him regain his compete level.

Mcintyre sent down

You know what this means

 

[JOKER 192]

Sadly, realistically, we all know if Rask can go Tuesday, he will be the one in the net.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Taking emotion out of it, Rask gives the Bruins a better chance to win.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Taking emotion out of it, Rask gives the Bruins a better chance to win.

Over the long hall Maybee for the short term not sure about that.

 

[CombatOnContact]

As well as Dobby has played, this team has no chance of making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs with him. He has done well in spot playing, and the defense has tightened up in his games. He has produced and given the Bs wins during his successful stretch. I voted to start Dobby against Nashville for two reasons. First, he is indeed hot and Rask is not. The team has rallied around him and has won a lot of games in a row with him in net. That cannot be overlooked. Second, the Bs have to have a healthy Rask if it wants to go anywhere in the playoffs. Give Rask another game or two to heal up. Tuukka is the better goalie and has shown this season he can still perform at an elite level. The key is getting him back to that point. If that means using a hot Dobby for a couple more games then that is what should be done. Who knows what Cassidy will do. He has a better feel of the situation than any of us, so I'm fine with whatever he decides. But from where I sit it seems more prudent to give Dobby at least the next game and see what happens. Regardless, I like both goalies and want the team to succeed no matter who is in net.

I remember so many used to say the Bruins could never go anywhere with Thomas in net. I'm not saying that Khudobin is anywhere near Thomas.. he's not even close. But what the whole Thomas era showed me was that you don't need a highly skilled technically sound goalie. What you really need is a battler.. a warrior. Someone the team wants to go out and play for. Someone who inspires confidence. To me, Rask does none of these. He's a good goalie. A great goalie, skill wise. He is the type on paper you look and say.. that team is set in goal. But in actuality, he's the type of goalie that can also cause problems because of his attitude and mental weakness.

 

[fin8]

Taking emotion out of it, Rask gives the Bruins a better chance to win.

If the Bruins play perfectly in front of him, only allow soft shots against him, and score at least 4 goals, then we have a 50/50 chance of winning with the great choker in net.

 

[LSCII]

Mcintyre sent down

You know what this means

Yep, we get to see more disinterested, lackluster net play from Tuukka. Sucks.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

Yep, we get to see more disinterested, lackluster net play from Tuukka. Sucks.

It could be his last chance though . If he plays and has another performance like in the Tampa game he won't see the net agains or he shouldn't . At least he is coming back after receiving criticism from the coach , the backup doing what he should be doing and a lot of skepticism from the fan base . He should be out to prove himself .

 

[ReggieMoto]

Taking emotion out of it, Rask gives the Bruins a better chance to win.

Looking at it objectively I think it's 50/50.

 

[northeastern]

I don't believe the level of play we've seen from any of this team's goalies this season has shown this team "making any kind of substantive run in the playoffs." Over and over we've read in this forum how tired and exhausted Rask is. Assuming these opinions have merit how would anyone expect him to carry the team through the tortuous play of the post-season?

The answer is no one should! My own opinion is this team's success in the post-season -- assuming there is a Bruins post-season -- will depend on both goalies and not just Rask. I will go as far as to say I put the team's chances for success more on the shoulders of Khudobin than on Rask, i.e. Rask potentially as backup to Khudobin. Of course, that depends on how well Rask can recover from whatever his problem is, which I'm not convinced he can.

Whether it's physical or mental, Rask is presently weak and despite moments of flashy brilliance he remains shaky as a reliable #1. What the team seems to have in net is a 2a/2b tandem in net. Good luck with that!

The beginning of the season tuukka played at an elite level for a good period of time. If he can get that back this team could have a chance in a playoff series. Dobby, even at his best doesn't give the bruins that slight chance. I think rested and healthy tuukka can be a legit starter. Mentally though he needs to find that game again

 

[Hali33]

Wow what a quick recovery. Incredible.

 

[rocketdan9]

HAGGERTY: TIME FOR BRUINS TO MAKE A CHANGE IN GOAL

http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/morning-skate-old-friend-warsofsky-called-penguins

 

[Bread and Circuses]

I've seen Rask make plenty of incredible saves that have absolutely bailed out the more often than not brain dead D zone play in front of him this year.

Every goalie lets in some stinkers, the amount of stinkers he has let in this year in comparison to the amount of time he has saved this teams ass isn't even close.

If Rask is healthy he goes in, period.

 

[rocketdan9]

I've seen Rask make plenty of incredible saves that have absolutely bailed out the more often than not brain dead D zone play in front of him this year.

Every goalie lets in some stinkers, the amount of stinkers he has let in this year in comparison to the amount of time he has saved this teams ass isn't even close.

If Rask is healthy he goes in, period.

Yes but he is letting in stinkers at the wrong time of the year , 3 years straight