Assuming Rask is Healthy to Start...

[Dupell6]

Not a Rask fan

Appreciate what Dobby did on saturday

But with that being said play your best

Dobby scares the crap out of me

 

[LouJersey]

Rask is the number one so he will start as much as Cassidy can play him im sure.

He was good va Toronto and Ottawa and good for the first period vs TB. That 4th goal was just garbage though

 

[rocketdan9]

My prediction is Rask plays the next 2

If he stinks it up... its Dobby for the rest of the year until he stinks it up

Otherwise if everything is back to Normal

Rask next two vs Preds, Dallas
Khudobin vs Panthers (b2b game)
Rask vs Hawks
Khudobin vs Tampa
Rask finishes the year vs Sens, Capitals


Again if Rask messes up vs Preds and Dallas, I would sit him for the rest of the season. This is not the time of the year to break out of a slump

 

[BRUINS since 1995]

I get that Dobby has won 5 games, but actually look at who he faced.

Vancouver - 27th
Kings - 20th
Devils - 28th
Flames - 12th
Islanders - 17th

Realistically the Flames were the only "playoff" team he faced and the Bruins played a pretty strong all around game that night. Not saying you don't roll Dobby out again, but lets not pretend like he's beating quality teams night in and night out.

Ah come on. the islanders was a dead or alive game, Got 2 goals for and managed to won the game. Rask last game was against Tampa Bay B team - below the Isle.... got 4 goals for and lost the game.... california trip is not an easy one. Dobby did the job in the last 5 games. Fact. Rask for a reason or another..did not. Fact. All the rest is speculation.

 

[Cid]

I expect to see Rask vs the weaker teams. He will be unable to go against Ottawa, Tampa and any do/die or meaningful games. If we remain in the race, the scare is always there that Rask won't be able to go when the season is on the line.

It is what it is. Rask is on what a 4 game losing streak? Doby is on a 5 game winning streak? Play your best. We all seem to disagree on who that is though.

Anyways I appreciate Doby stepping up like that and winning arguably the biggest game of the season. Can't ask more in a backup than that.

 

[bobbyorr04]

My prediction is Rask plays the next 2

If he stinks it up... its Dobby for the rest of the year until he stinks it up

Otherwise if everything is back to Normal

Rask next two vs Preds, Dallas
Khudobin vs Panthers (b2b game)
Rask vs Hawks
Khudobin vs Tampa
Rask finishes the year vs Sens, Capitals

Again if Rask messes up vs Preds and Dallas, I would sit him for the rest of the season. This is not the time of the year to break out of a slump

Unfortunately there is no more wiggle room for stinky goaltending anymore.

If Rask does play, he HAS TO bring his "A" game because that's what the B's need and the fans expect from our #1 goalie for the remainder of the season.

#nomoreexcuses

 

[Latrappe]

Not surprise to see the "reactionnary" bunch claiming that we should rely on a backup who's highly inconsistent and who won only 5 games in a half season to "save" us. You win or perish with your #1 keeper. It's simple as that.

 

[BRUINS since 1995]

Not surprise to see the "reactionnary" bunch claiming that we should rely on a backup who's highly inconsistent and who won only 5 games in a half season to "save" us. You win or perish with your #1 keeper. It's simple as that.

Living by your best... that is the simple decision. Rask in if... inside the team,Rask, Cassidy and the goaltending coach feels he is 100% ready physically and mentally to go. If not, challenge your team with the back up who in the last 5 games won.

 

[ODAAT]

My prediction is Rask plays the next 2

If he stinks it up... its Dobby for the rest of the year until he stinks it up

Otherwise if everything is back to Normal

Rask next two vs Preds, Dallas
Khudobin vs Panthers (b2b game)
Rask vs Hawks
Khudobin vs Tampa
Rask finishes the year vs Sens, Capitals


Again if Rask messes up vs Preds and Dallas, I would sit him for the rest of the season. This is not the time of the year to break out of a slump

if he "stinks it up" in the game tonight, my guess is Doby the rest of the way, now`s not the time the B`s can afford stinkaroos

 

[Gee Wally]

I play him.

First, until otherwise, he is the number 1. For better or worse.

Two, to me, his chance at redemption. Every game is essentially a must win from here on in. Is he going to be part of the solution going forward? Or is he going to turtle and fold? If that's the case come up with a plan 'B' in the off season.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Not surprise to see the "reactionnary" bunch claiming that we should rely on a backup who's highly inconsistent and who won only 5 games in a half season to "save" us. You win or perish with your #1 keeper. It's simple as that.

Completely reactionary? Rask has played from abysmal to above average the second half of the season. To the point that we don't know what to expect game in and game out. His last few starts weren't his best games. Not saying Khudobin is better or more reliable, just recently had a better single game.

Our back up just had a handful of decent games.

We aren't relying on the backup, we are just riding who is hotter. Which is unfortunately our backup. It's not reactionary. It's literally 1 game at a time. Nashville is next. I don't know who will start the next game after that, we won't know. But I personally go with Khudobin for THIS game. And decide after that. Khudobin stinks it up, Rask is back. A lot of teams do this, they ride their hot goalie, and it's how starters lose their place. It can also just be a flash in the pan. Or it can literally just be a game and then back to the status quo. As of the last 5 games, the status quo wasn't that great.

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

Completely reactionary? Rask has played from abysmal to above average the second half of the season. To the point that we don't know what to expect game in and game out. His last few starts weren't his best games. Not saying Khudobin is better or more reliable, just recently had a better single game.

Our back up just had a handful of decent games.

We aren't relying on the backup, we are just riding who is hotter. Which is unfortunately our backup. It's not reactionary. It's literally 1 game at a time. Nashville is next. I don't know who will start the next game after that, we won't know. But I personally go with Khudobin for THIS game. And decide after that. Khudobin stinks it up, Rask is back. A lot of teams do this, they ride their hot goalie, and it's how starters lose their place. It can also just be a flash in the pan. Or it can literally just be a game and then back to the status quo. As of the last 5 games, the status quo wasn't that great.

I agree but we will probably see Rask in goal tonight .

 

[LouJersey]

I play him.

First, until otherwise, he is the number 1. For better or worse.

Two, to me, his chance at redemption. Every game is essentially a must win from here on in. Is he going to be part of the solution going forward? Or is he going to turtle and fold? If that's the case come up with a plan 'B' in the off season.

My thinking as well. This is what should and will happen.

 

[bp13]

I play him.

First, until otherwise, he is the number 1. For better or worse.

Two, to me, his chance at redemption. Every game is essentially a must win from here on in. Is he going to be part of the solution going forward? Or is he going to turtle and fold? If that's the case come up with a plan 'B' in the off season.

Wally I don't know you all that well but I have to admit this response surprises me. You always seem pretty old school so I'll trust your judgment here. Do you not harbor suspicions that Tuukka may not have pushed himself as hard as he should have to make that Islanders game, Ottawa last season and the Olympics game last time around?

I know it's a judgment call and obviously a pretty critical one, but I think the sheer number of those instances is alarming. Could be coincidental, but those are a fair number of coincidences. Especially for a guy who makes his fair share of comments about "shot quality" and "defensive lapses".

He's our best goalie and I have zero confidence Sweeney could make lemonade out of this situation if he actually decided to move on from him. But I also feel like the coach and team needs to make some kind of statement. And Khudobin actually winning the last few games gives them a chance to sit Rask here. I'd take that opportunity. He's not good enough that they need to kiss his *** when he pouts and screws over his team. Just my opinion.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

I agree but we will probably see Rask in goal tonight .

I also see that being the case.

And I think the next 8 games will decide Rask's fate as a Boston Bruin, in all honesty.

 

[Gee Wally]

Wally I don't know you all that well but I have to admit this response surprises me. You always seem pretty old school so I'll trust your judgment here. Do you not harbor suspicions that Tuukka may not have pushed himself as hard as he should have to make that Islanders game, Ottawa last season and the Olympics game last time around?

I know it's a judgment call and obviously a pretty critical one, but I think the sheer number of those instances is alarming. Could be coincidental, but those are a fair number of coincidences. Especially for a guy who makes his fair share of comments about "shot quality" and "defensive lapses".

He's our best goalie and I have zero confidence Sweeney could make lemonade out of this situation if he actually decided to move on from him. But I also feel like the coach and team needs to make some kind of statement. And Khudobin actually winning the last few games gives them a chance to sit Rask here. I'd take that opportunity. He's not good enough that they need to kiss his *** when he pouts and screws over his team. Just my opinion.

I think Rask, fundamentally, is incredibly talented. I also think anyone can get sick or pull up lame at a big moment.

Now here's the but.

He, to me, has whether real or imagined has a trend. Those episodes you mention.
I'd devote the balance of this season , since to me they are all 'big' games, to see if he can fish or cut bait. (the money means nothing to me right now at this time)

I have my doubts. I doubt he has either the mental makeup or intestinal fortitude or some combination of both. I've been wrong before but he needs to show me.

If he cant then its time to move on from him next season. Otherwise its rinse and repeat.

 

[Hali33]

I also see that being the case.

And I think the next 8 games will decide Rask's fate as a Boston Bruin, in all honesty.

Unless he goes on a complete tear I would be surprised to see him here next season.

Things have only gotten worse since they almost traded him.

 

[dup7]

I think he's elite. But his reaction after goals has always bothered me. His body language couldn't be any worse...particularly on a team with young(ish) d-men, you don't need him slumping his shoulders and giving guys death stares when the puck goes in the net.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Only elite, hall of fame goalies blow their stack, break their stick over the cross bar and throw a fit comparable to a 4 year old not getting a cookie after giving up a goal.

 

[jgatie]

Anybody who thinks a goalie's reaction registers anything more than a "goalies are ****ing head cases" in the other player's minds has never been on a hockey team. Goalies are crazy. They vary as to the level of crazy, but all are on the spectrum of crazy. Players are friendly with them at one end of that spectrum, avoid them like the plague at the other, and would lay down their life to protect them regardless of anything. However, not one of them would ever claim to understand them, never mind care about what they think in that ****ed up head of theirs.

 

[smithformeragent]

Rask confirmed to get the start.

Please use the Rask thread or the GDT.

Thanks!