Tuukka Rask ready to lead Bruins on West Coast Trip

Nov 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) makes a save as Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) look for the rebound during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Tuukka Rask and the Bruins will have one of their biggest tests of the season to start off the month of December, as they visit the West Coast for a slate against the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, and Coyotes. Their first test comes Monday night as the Bruins invade the Honda Center to face the Western Conference leader Anaheim Ducks.

Rask Ready for challenge 

The Bruins travel to the West Coast after defeating the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Friday capturing a much-needed 2 points. The Bruins are still missing star center David Krejci and defensemen Zdeno Chara, both whom will not travel with the team, but even in their absence they are grinding out games and earning every point.

Tuukka Rask has been stellar since that November 12 debacle against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he gave up 6 goals in only 2 periods of work. Since then he is 3-1-1 in five appearances, registering a .956 save percentage in those games.

For Rask, he knows no matter what the score is he must keep his team in the game with solid goaltending, ““The way the offense has been going, I know it’s going to be a tight game and I have to be solid.”

The Bruins offense has been spotty because of the injuries sustained as of late, but with this trip on the horizon they must focus on playing tight defense according to Rask.

“It’s never easy (out west),” said Rask. “We have to play solid defense, really good road games, try to find ways to keep things tight and win. You get those greasy goals and greasy wins. Going to California, it’s never easy.”

Anaheim Ducks: December 1

While the Ducks may be leading the Western Conference, they are having trouble staying healthy this season. RW Corey Perry, D Clayton Stoner and Francois Beauchemin all have missed time in November forcing the Ducks to make several call ups and going out and trading for more depth on the defensive end.

Even with all of those injuries the Ducks have been lead by Ryan Getzlaf who has registered 6 goals, and 14 assists. The 29 year old is often paired up with Getzlaf, and when they are on the ice at the same time can make coaching against the two a major headache.

Los Angeles Kings: December 2

The defending Stanley Cup Champions have been heating up as of late, winning 5 out of their last ten and picking up 13 points during that span. The Bruins have two areas of concern when it comes to facing the Kings, the first is the Vezina winning goaltender Jonathan Quick who is continuing to prove he is one of the best goalies in the game today. Quick has a .932 save percentage that is 2^nd best in the league, while capturing 10 wins in 18 appearances.

The Bruins also need to keep their eyes on Jeff Carter and his line that is quickly becoming one of the best trios in the league. In the past 23 games the line has captured 25 goals together, and with the Bruins already weakened on the defensive side it will be vital to slow this line down.

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San Jose Sharks: December 4

The Sharks visited the TD Garden earlier this season, although they lost that game 1-0 and have been struggling to gain momentum all season. The Sharks have 4 consistent players on their roster, but aside from them it is a dry well in terms of point production. Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, and Logan Couture are the 4 bright spots for the Sharks this season, all scoring at least 20 points this season.

After those four players, it is a severe drop off in terms of production, no other player on the Sharks are even close to those numbers. As a result the Sharks are in the bottom half of team goals throughout the NHL, and have had trouble putting teams away and capturing those elusive two points.

Arizona Coyotes: December 6

The newly rebranded Arizona Coyotes have maintained the same mediocrity as the Phoenix Coyotes so far this season. The Coyotes have had trouble scoring all season long, ranking 24^th in the league in goals scored per game, defensemen Keith Yandle leads the team in points with 16 this season.

Not only can’t the Coyotes score, but they can’t help get scored upon. Starting goaltender Mike Smith was replaced after starting off 4-11 and a 3.26 GAA, ranking 25^th in the league. Smith has been replaced with Devan Dubnyk who has been on a roll as of late going 5-0 and registering a 2.34 GAA. If Dubynk can keep that kind of production up and they can begin to find some offensive power they could be a threat for the 8^th seed in the Western Conference.

The Dirt Sheet: 

The Bruins will have their toughest test this season, they are going on their longest road trip of the season missing some of their best players. The Bruins faltered against the Penguins and Montreal last week, but managed to grab 2 points against Winnipeg before heading out West, which was crucial. I would imagine the Bruins capturing at least 4 points during the road trip, but if they can play solid 60 minutes of hockey I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins came home with 5 or 6 points.