Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask needs to step up his play in the playoffs

Tuukka Rask has had a good 2017-2018 season, but the goaltender will need to step his play up when the Boston Bruins start their journey to the Stanley Cup.

Tuukka Rask has had a good season as the Boston Bruins goaltender, but in the playoffs, good isn’t good enough. So when the Bruins start their playoff journey they will need Rask to put up some phenomenal performances.

Rask has had a roller coaster season. He started off the season terribly it seemed like he couldn’t stop a shot. He was out of position and just seemed to lose all of his goaltending abilities.

So Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy gave Rask a break. Anton Khudobin took over and played phenomenally. It seemed to be the wake-up call that Rask needed.

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When Rask returned to the net it was like he was a completely different player. He was stopping everything and making insane saves. The Rask that Bruins fans know and love had returned.

Rask would go on a 21 game points streak. He couldn’t be beaten (well at least in regulation).

As the season continued to progress, Rask play began to fluctuate. Some games he would be amazing proving all the haters wrong, and on other nights he couldn’t stop a beach ball.

Rask numbers show that he is having a good season. He is 30-11-5, pretty impressive numbers after his terrible start to the season. Rask also has a goals-against average of 2.35 and a save percentage of .916. Rask is on another points streak, as the last seven times Rask has been between the pipes he has secured a point for the Bruins. That’s great and all but Rask is allowing a lot of goals. In those games he has allowed a total of 22 goals. That’s about 3 goals every game. If the Bruins want to win a Stanley Cup they need a better effort out of Rask.

What do the Boston Bruins need from Rask?

Goaltending is one of the most important factors in the playoffs. A hot goaltender can take over a series for a team. The Bruins need Rask to take over a series. With such a young team, the Bruins are going to need some help from Rask in the playoffs. Rask can’t be allowing three goals a game, he’s going to have to be a brick wall.

Next: Even when the Bruins lose they still win

If Tuukka can step up in the big moments the Boston Bruins will win a Stanley Cup.