Tuukka Rask: Finally Getting the Starts
Tuukka Rask grabbed the number one role in Boston and should run with it. The 22-year-old goaltender recently took over the league lead in both GAA and SV% from Ryan Miller giving him a vote of confidence from coach Claude Julien.
Lets allow the statistics speak for themselves:
Player | Games Started | Wins | Goals Against Average | Save Percentage | Shutouts |
Tuukka Rask | 23 | 12 | 2.01 | .931 | 3 |
Tim Thomas | 35 | 13 | 2.52 | .915 | 4 |
In 12 less starts, Rask only won one less game than his counterpart. He also holds a distinct advantage in both GAA and SV%, as he does over every other NHL netminder. Thomas registered one more shutout but his inferior peripheral statistics indicate a much lower rate of quality starts.
Eight of Rask’s 27 appearances ended with him surrendering less than three goals. By that same admission, sixteen of Thomas’ 35 appearances ended with him allowing more than two goals. For over a month now Rask finished within the top three in both GAA and SV% proving he does not need offense to win or provide excellent statistics.
If you can grab Rask in any league or format I fully recommend it. If the Bruins want to make the playoffs they should roll their Finnish goalie out there every night despite benching the current Vezina Trophy winner.