Rask or Thomas

The Boston Bruins sit in 6^th place in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are 6-2-2 over their past 10 games, and seem to be getting over the hump after a rough start. The biggest question mark for the Bruins may actually be their goaltending situation. Going into this season that would have been one of the last things you would thought the Bruins would have a problem with. Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas has had a rough season so far putting up sub-par numbers this far though. Thomas is 7-8-4 with a 2.48 GAA and a .914 SV%. On the other hand, Finish rookie sensation, Tukka Rask is 9-2-2 with a 1.97 GAA and a .932 SV%.

Tim Thomas has never been known to have the best technique, but his technique has come a long way since taking over as the start during the 05-06 campaign. Thomas has always been known for willing to out-compete his opponents day in and day out on the ice. What has happened to that goalie? Is he over confident since winning the Vezina trophy? If he is, I would hope he starts to humble up because if he keeps up his sub-par performance Rask may be the new starter very soon.

Tukka Rask has much better technique compared to Thomas. You can tell when you watch Rask that he is well trained with his technique. When he drops down into the butterfly he can quickly butterfly push over to make a save off of a rebound. Rask seems very confident in his butterfly, and being able to move across his crease from any position. Rask’s movements in net are very sound, which allows him to make many saves without having to do much because he is already in position. I hate to say it but he reminds me a lot like Andrew Raycroft in his rookie season. Raycroft had great technique and was able to read the play similarly to Rask. Rask though is much quicker in net though compared to Raycroft and even Thomas. You really need to watch Rask closely, and watch just how fast he moves.

Thomas has always been best I would say when he has had to compete with another goalie. Now that Tukka Rask may be breathing down hard on Thomas for that starting spot his performance will come back to the Vezina level it was at a season ago. Tim Thomas also may be losing his chance to play for team USA in Vancouver too unless he can regain his form from a season ago. Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabers is out performing him by a vast margin. Jonathan Quick and Craig Anderson have also jumped into the picture so far this season, so unless he gets it together he may not even make team USA.

This problem the Bruins have is defiantly a blessing though. Having two good goalies like Rask and Thomas competing for the starting job is a problem many teams would like to have. Thomas has not been terrible, but not Vezina standards and Rask has been better.

Recommendation:

Play the hot hand. Thomas has lost his last three starts, so give Tukka a few starts. Rask has earned them. Although Thomas has 6 Million reasons to be starting.

Cheers

Side note: apologies for not posting in a while. I have my last final tomorrow. These past 2 weeks have been hectic.