Rask Is Feeling Fresh

WINNIPEG, Manitoba- Before the season began, Bruce Cassidy and his coaching staff came up with a magic number that they believed would put their hockey club in the best position to succeed.
That number, which fell somewhere between 55 and 60, was the amount of games Tuukka Rask should play in 2017-18. After playing in 70, 64, and 65 contests over the last three seasons, respectively, both Rask and the coaches felt a lesser workload would benefit the netminder in the long run.

With eight regular season games remaining, Rask has suited up for 49 games (48 starts) and is on pace to come in on the lower end of the marker the team was eyeing at the beginning of the year.
"I felt [good] throughout the season," said Rask, who is 32-11-5 with a .918 save percentage. "I've never been in a situation where I felt like I needed a break. I think that's what our goal was. Obviously we've played some great hockey and that helps us as goalies knowing we don't have to face 30-40 shots every night and kind of beat you up every night. It's been great."

Rask is clearly feeling fresh as he carries a nine-game points streak (8-0-1) into the season's final two weeks. Over his last four games - though he allowed five goals in an overtime loss to Columbus last Monday - the 31-year-old has shut out Tampa Bay, stopped 40 of 42 shots in a win over Dallas, and turned away 24 of 25 Minnesota attempts in an overtime victory on Sunday night.
"The schedule did get altered earlier in the year with [Anton Khudobin] getting the run of starts," said Cassidy. "We were trying to peg him in roughly where he is, probably had him for a few more, so that's good. A couple less, as long as his game isn't affected by it - right now it doesn't look that way. The plan never goes as scripted. But we kept it as close as we could, given the circumstances and I think it's worked out for both goaltenders."
Boston's ability to give Rask a blow from time to time stems from the stellar play of Khudobin. The backup netminder (15-6-5, 2.48 GAA, .917 save percentage) has been terrific all season long - including the four-start stretch in November that seemed to kick start the Bruins - and provided a solid secondary option for Cassidy.
"Anton is maybe not as sharp as he was at the start of the year, but I think that was going to go be tough to keep up the level of play he was at," said Cassidy, who also confirmed that Khudobin would get the start on Tuesday night in Winnipeg. "But he's still playing very good hockey. Both goaltenders are in good places right now. And they're health which is good, too."

Rask, who is fifth in the league in goals against average (2.32) and sixth in wins (32), is expected to start against Tampa Bay and Florida when the Bruins return to Boston this weekend.
"You've got Tampa coming Thursday and a couple home games…Florida," said Cassidy. "I think we're just gonna stick with it, but yes there was some consideration to get him on more of a run [by playing again against Winnipeg], but we're hoping his run will just continue into Thursday."
The Finland native will be between the pipes for what has the potential to be a playoff preview against Tampa Bay on Thursday at TD Garden. And with the Bruins now just 2 points behind the Lightning for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, much could be on the line - not that he's giving that much thought.
"Zero…we don't even have time to watch the standings," said Rask. "Play every game and see where we're gonna finish up. Biggest thing for us is we clinched a playoff spot, so we want to build our identity and feel good about our game when the playoffs start, have some healthy bodies coming back. I think that's what we're focused on."

Inching Closer

The Bruins are once again nearing full strength. After getting Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug back in the lineup on Sunday in Minnesota, Cassidy confirmed once again on Monday that Zdeno Chara (upper-body) and Charlie McAvoy (sprained MCL) have continued to skate back in Boston. Jake DeBrusk (upper-body) has also resumed on-ice activities.
David Backes, who is traveling with the team, continues to work out off the ice and could skate on Tuesday, but will not play against Winnipeg.
"Backes is ready to go, you just have to have a certain timeframe because of that cut," said Cassidy. "I do believe Zee, Charlie, and DeBrusk will join us. I can only speculate, is it this weekend? Thursday is maybe. But probably by the weekend we hope."

Nash Not Skating

Rick Nash, meanwhile, has not skated as he recovers from an upper-body injury. The winger, acquired from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, has missed the last four games after suffering the injury on March 17 in Tampa Bay.
"Rick Nash has not skated," said Cassidy. "He's the one right now that might be the farthest out. I haven't been around so I don't know the ins and outs of exactly where he's at with his recovery. That's' the best I can give you on that one. Until we're back home in Boston and get a little bit more of an update - I get information, don't get me wrong, but we're not there yet. It's a tougher one to project."

Backes Visits With Parkland Students

David Backes visited with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas boys' hockey team during Sunday night's game in Minnesota. The youngsters won Florida's state championship just 11 days after the tragic shooting at the Parkland school that left 17 dead, and are in Minnesota this week for the USA Hockey National Championships.
"It was kind of weird emotions, I'd say, because you're with a bunch of kids that have been through a traumatic experience. They've also overcome that to win their state tournament unexpectedly and get to nationals," said Backes. "They're in a little bit of a celebrity tour. Those kids are smiling and enjoying the game. It was cool to spend a couple moments with them and take a few photos and good to see that they're probably not over [the tragedy], but enjoying themselves and having fun and enjoying each other's company.
"Great group of kids. It was good to see the coaches and families with them as well and enjoying a Bruins win."

Marchand Madness

In addition to picking up a NHL record-tying fifth overtime goal on the season Sunday night, Brad Marchand also became the first Bruin to record 80-plus points in consecutive seasons since Ray Bourque and Adam Oates both did it in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Marchand had a career-high 85 points (39 goals, 46 assists) in 80 games last season and this year has 80 points (33 goals, 47 assists) in just 60 games, as he has dealt with injuries and a suspension. His 1.33 points per game this season ranks second in the league behind Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon (1.37).
"Definitely in the top seven or eight guys," Cassidy said of Marchand's MVP chances. "How it all plays out, I don't know."