Assuming Rask is Healthy to Start...

[GloveSave1]

AK is a bit of an adventure in nets but the team is responding to him since Cassidy took over as coach so I would go with him. Maybe having some competition for the nets will bring out the best in Rask as he been underperforming for a long time now.

Yeah, I wasn't able to watch the game live...but I stalked the GDT from the bar...people were going nuts for monstrous Dobie saves down the stretch...I was psyched to come home and watch it...but I saw what I normally do...

Dobie battling making some fortunate max effort saves, consistently leaving a tun of net, and getting some good breaks. It just as easily could have been doom and gloom. Both Rask and Dobie make the odd big save, so nothing there.

But if you ask me, would I go with flawed battling Dobie over flawed fragile faceplant Rask?...certainly, for now.

I'll take the fighting.

 

[bobbyorr04]

Bruins will put Rask back in the moment he is good to go .That is my guess .They pay him 7 million to play .

I don't really like that logic of playing Rask just because he makes $7mil. It wouldn't matter to me if he made $20mil.

If he's not playing good and helping the team to win, then he should sit on the bench until Dobby begins to falter.

 

[LSCII]

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.

He's played very well at times, but right now he's clearly slumping. You can't rely on a guy that's struggling and fighting the puck all game long at this point of the season. Maybe seeing Dobby last night step up motivates him, maybe not. Let's hope so as the team needs him to come up big if they go back to him. He can't be letting in 3 softies a night if they honestly want to make the playoffs.

 

[Dellstrom]

I'd be mad if they went with Rask. If the playoffs were Tuesday, sure, Rask. But he needs some time to rest or think or something. He's been BRUTAL. Go with Dobby until further notice.

 

[Ratty]

Rask is our #1 goaltender. Which means he's there when the games/season's on the line. If medicos say "no", then he doesn't dress. If he's healthy, after a few days off, he's the guy. We need every point at this juncture.

 

[mislysBB]

At this point, run with Dobby until he has a bad game (which I feel like would be the next one he plays, which makes me nervous).

Rask needs to fix whatever problem he's got going on, whether it's a temper tantrum, injury, etc because this **** is getting old really fast.

 

[TaroTsujimoto]

Khudobin did the job, but Rask would have been criticized for allowing that goal to Tavares.

I would consider playing Khudobin on Tuesday if Rask needs more time to heal or rest, but Tuukka is the better goalie and has to be the guy down the stretch. Play the same way in front of both goalies, and Rask will let in fewer goals 9 times out of 10.

 

[Fenway]

KPD looks at the goalie situation

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/b...e-situation/QRY7oQRBwvdU8OpNZwrD7L/story.html

In his most recent four starts, Rask’s save percentage was .842, succumbing to Edmonton (where he was pulled after allowing 5 goals in 22 minutes), Toronto, Ottawa, and Tampa.

If not for his pedigree, paycheck, and the fact he owns a Vezina Trophy, Rask’s recent résumé might be cause to wonder if he’s about to lose his gig to Khudobin. Not unless Rask’s injury lingers. As of noon Sunday, the Bruins returned McIntyre to Providence, making him eligible for a 5 p.m. game in Hartford.

The varsity enjoyed Sunday as a scheduled day off. Monday’s workout at Warrior Ice Arena should find both Khudobin and Rask in residence. Unless he experiences a setback, Rask likely will get six of the remaining seven starts, with Khudobin supplying relief either on Saturday against Florida or Sunday in Chicago.

Khudobin may be fun to watch, and a fun story to follow, but the job remains Rask’s, as long as he can remain on the job.

 

[bruinmann77]

you have to really believe their no way the FO would not go with Rask down the stretch.
Lets see what the guy can bring them

 

[ReggieMoto]

you have to really believe their no way the FO would not go with Rask down the stretch.
Lets see what the guy can bring them

Well, depends right? If he's not getting the job done then I'd expect him to work the door instead of AK. If he manages to perform to expectations, then sure. I think it's questionable.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Ride a winner until he loses.... Not that Khudobin is the answer, but he's answering more the past few games, ride the hot hand.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

you have to really believe their no way the FO would not go with Rask down the stretch.
Lets see what the guy can bring them

We've seen what he can bring. And what he has been bringing hasn't been good.

Be good to watch the game from the bench, maybe it will motivate him even more.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Khudobin did the job, but Rask would have been criticized for allowing that goal to Tavares.

I would consider playing Khudobin on Tuesday if Rask needs more time to heal or rest, but Tuukka is the better goalie and has to be the guy down the stretch. Play the same way in front of both goalies, and Rask will let in fewer goals 9 times out of 10.

If his recent games were any indication of what would have happened, Rask would have been criticized for the weak goal he gave up, putting the Bruins behind. And the Bruins wouldn't have won 2-1.

Rask hasn't been good of recent. Khudobin was good for a game. Give Khudobin the start and see what he does with it. If he sucks, we at least have 7 million dollar Rask for the rest of the season. Given Rask's struggles and Khudobin's recent streak, I would ride him. Putting Rask back in, a cold goalie, isn't the best momentum decision.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Ideal situation. This start by Dobby lights a fire under rask for Mondays big game. Going Rask bc we need him to perform. Please God I hope he responds like he is capable of doing

 

[patty59]

I'm not sure what Rask's issue is, but if he's over it and ready to play next game then it's crease. Khudobin is just finally doing what he was brought here to do his last handful of games, let's not pretend he's been good this year.

 

[Bread and Circuses]

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

He's played very well at times, but right now he's clearly slumping. You can't rely on a guy that's struggling and fighting the puck all game long at this point of the season. Maybe seeing Dobby last night step up motivates him, maybe not. Let's hope so as the team needs him to come up big if they go back to him. He can't be letting in 3 softies a night if they honestly want to make the playoffs.

All valid and fair points which is why I am glad I am just a fan and am not in charge of these decisions.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

I'm not sure what Rask's issue is, but if he's over it and ready to play next game then it's crease. Khudobin is just finally doing what he was brought here to do his last handful of games, let's not pretend he's been good this year.

Khudobin hasn't been good all season, but he's been better recently. Rask was phenomenal in the beginning of the season, but below average of recent.

I know the stakes are high right now, but riding the guy winning is the right thing to do.

Khudobin either 1. Keeps it up. 2. Fails and we put Rask back in.
Rask either 1. Continues to struggle and we lose anyways. 2. Has recovered and is back to form.

I really can't imagine Rask healed THAT much since last week, that his play is going to magically come back to form immediately. I give Khudobin the game. If he wins, we keep going. If we lose, Rask is back the game after. We literally just played 4 games against teams we are immediately competing for a playoff position with. Rask lost 3. And Khudobin won 1. I'm not saying Khudobin is better, or has been better. But he's the better choice right now.

Big decision for Cassidy. Really arguments can be made either way, but my vote is for Khudobin.

 

[JAD]

From a pure talent perspective they should play Rask as talent wise he gives them the best chance to win.

However he needs to be healthy physically, emotionally and mentally; he can not give up soft goals, especially at critical times in the game. Plus, he needs to show he truly wants it, however you want to word it - passion, determination, desire, - through constant inspired play that his team can feed off. He needs to prove that he is there for them and that they can trust him to have their backs. This is what he is being paid to do.

If he plays this way it sets him apart from his competition. If he can't then it evens the field and the team should play the hot hand in net.

 

[chrisab123]

It's crunch time so we all know Rask won't be healed by Tuesday. I hope they trade him in the offseason. No balls.

 

[JAD]

It's crunch time so we all know Rask won't be healed by Tuesday. I hope they trade him in the offseason. No balls.

If, the Bruins at some point move on from Rask they need two goalies that are capable of winning 20 plus games each and splitting games played about 50/50 while riding the hot hand. That may be old school, but I think their is too much pressure mentally/physically/emotionally to rely on one goalie for 60 plus games a year.

There may be some goalies that are capable of playing that many games, but it takes a certain type of mental/physical make up to do it well over the long haul. Then you add playoffs to the total and all those added pressures.

Rask is a very good goalie, I just don't think he is built for 60 plus games a year and then playoffs. I feel he would perform best playing around 40 - 50 regular season games and then ride him the majority of the playoffs.

 

[rocketdan9]

It's crunch time so we all know Rask won't be healed by Tuesday. I hope they trade him in the offseason. No balls.

after the final whistle last night.... He miraculously healed

he will play Tues and majority of the games remaining

get out the aspirins folks

 

[chrisab123]

If, the Bruins at some point move on from Rask they need two goalies that are capable of winning 20 plus games each and splitting games played about 50/50 while riding the hot hand. That may be old school, but I think their is too much pressure mentally/physically/emotionally to rely on one goalie for 60 plus games a year.

There may be some goalies that are capable of playing that many games, but it takes a certain type of mental/physical make up to do it well over the long haul. Then you add playoffs to the total and all those added pressures.

Rask is a very good goalie, I just don't think he is built for 60 plus games a year and then playoffs. I feel he would perform best playing around 40 - 50 regular season games and then ride him the majority of the playoffs.

What's the point if he keeps tapping out when they need him the most?

 

[JAD]

What's the point if he keeps tapping out when they need him the most?

It's a catch 22, it is becoming obvious that Rask can not handle the expanded workload and continue to play above average, but they are paying him all that money.

If there is some way to significantly reduce the workload, they could then theoretically ride him in the playoffs and he should be capable of playing above the average for goaltenders.
Just a hunch.

 

[since76]

Russian boy !

 

[22Brad Park]

I don't really like that logic of playing Rask just because he makes $7mil. It wouldn't matter to me if he made $20mil.

If he's not playing good and helping the team to win, then he should sit on the bench until Dobby begins to falter.

It's matters to the people paying the cheques I would guess .And let's not kid ourselves Rask is A LOT BETTER then Dobby. He did his part .He won a big game