NEWARK- The Bruins enter this season with one of the most dependable goaltending duos in the National Hockey League. With 984 games between them, Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak provide the Black & Gold with a wealth of experience between the pipes that clearly paid dividends last spring.
On the flip side, Boston's goaltending tandem for its preseason opener in New Jersey on Monday night couldn't quite boast the same credentials. Kyle Keyser, 20, and Dan Vladar, 23, entered the exhibition contest with a combined 43 games of professional experiences - all courtesy of Vladar, who has split time between Providence and Atlanta.
Despite their lack of NHL service time, the duo acquitted themselves quite well during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Devils at Prudential Center. Keyser stopped all 17 shots he faced over 31 minutes, while Vladar made nine saves, including a breakaway denial on the power play and a sprawling, cross-crease stop, both in the second period.
Keyser Stands Tall in Bruins' Preseason Opener
Netminder stopped all 17 shots he faced; Boston fall to Devils, 4-3, in overtime