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Know Thy Enemy: Bruins Goaltenders

Monday we gave you a look at the Bruins forwards, yesterday it was the defense, and today it’s between the pipes for Boston.

Tuukka Rask (starter)

If you watch any Bruins games, every now and then you’ll hear Jack Edwards spew the line “TWO U’s, TWO K’s, TWO POINTS.” Why? Well, usually when Rask is in net for the Bruins, they win. Rask is a damn fine goalie and will probably give the Red Wings some nightmares before the series is over. He is as close to a complete goaltender as there is in the NHL. Rask was top five in all the major goaltender categories this year. He was 5th in wins (34), 4th in GAA (2.04), 2nd in SV% (.930) and 1st in shutouts (7). That’s a pretty impressive resume. Now, some might say that Rask is only good because of Claude Julien’s strong defensive system. They would be wrong. I’ve watched enough of his games to know that he’d do pretty well without Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron playing in front of him every night. Of course, his numbers might be a little inflated because of the system, but that shouldn’t take away from his ability between the pipes. He should win the Vezina this season. He will likely be the difference maker in this series. Jimmy Howard has a tall task in front of him going head-to-head up with Rask.

Chad Johnson (backup)

As much as Rask isn’t just a total product of the system, I’d say Johnson just might be. This was Johnson’s first full season has a backup netminder and he put up some pretty impressive numbers. He went 17-4-3 with a 2.01 GAA, .925 SV% with two shutouts. Not too shabby. I have to imagine if he put up numbers that great in his short stints with the Rangers, Coyotes and in the AHL, he would have had bigger gig elsewhere in the league. If at any point the Red Wings face Johnson in the 1st round, that’s mighty good news for Hockeytown.

Let’s Go Red Wings.

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