Christmas has come early for the Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask is on his game.
In his first head-to-head of the year with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 28-year-old put forth yet another stellar effort in Boston’s 3-0 victory at TD Garden, a 34-of-34 shutout, his fourth of the year.
“We’ve been fortunate here in my time here that we’ve had some great goaltenders come through. Again, he’s a guy that when he’s on his game he’s one of the best,… Boston coach Claude Julien said following the win. “He’s feeling it in the last little while or whatever, last month, maybe even more. But he’s been the goalie that we all know he can be. And that’s how we felt about him at the beginning even though he struggled, we knew he’d find his game and he has.…
Rask was tested early and often by a struggling Penguins squad, and even though the Bruins found the lead by a first period strike by ex-Penguin Max Talbot, good for Talbot’s first as a Bruin, the Bruins held on to their first period lead by way of two strong penalty kills and a favorable crossbar.
Boston winger Jimmy Hayes put an end to a 15-game goal-scoring drought with his fifth goal of the season, scored on a net drive 4:00 into the middle frame, and did the Bruins ever need it.
In a second period that saw them outshot 18-to-4, and go nearly 15 minutes without a shot on goal, the Bruins hung on with a strong d-zone effort, and even stronger play from their netminder.
“That just goes to say that everybody’s doing their job defensively I think and just being patient and protecting the house and trying to keep them on the outside letting me see the puck, so that’s one thing,… Rask said of the team’s defensive game that made it look ‘easy’. “I thought we just turned the puck over a little bit too much and kind of played in their hands a little bit in the second period, but we managed to come out from that period with a two nothing lead and that was huge and obviously the second periods have been challenging for us at times and I think today that was the case again.…
The middle frame served as the Pens’ last hurrah in the contest, as Pittsburgh looked simply dead when the puck dropped on the third period of Wednesday night’s affair.
With the Pittsburgh net empty for a fifth skater following Patric Hornqvist’s penalty, Ryan Spooner scored an empty-net power-play dagger with 2:43 left in the third period.
Expectedly, the 3-0 score held as the game’s final.
The win propelled the Bruins into second place in the Atlantic Division following Ottawa’s loss in Washington, and a record of 10-2-3 over their last 15 games played. Boston is now within five points of the first-place Montreal Canadiens. With two games in hand, too.
Random thoughts and notes
- Finally, Max Talbot is on the board for the Boston Bruins.
In his 29th game with the Big B’s, the 31-year-old came through with his first goal in a Boston uniform, a goal that actually served as the game-winning strike for the Black and Gold against his former club.
“I scored like almost a week ago… but in Providence,… Talbot joked. “I think you saw by my celebration, I think you could see a lot where I was obviously happiness but relief also. It’s been a rough start in a way, but at the same time it’s good to do something good and to contribute.… Centering Boston’s fourth line in the absence of Joonas Kemppainen, the Bruins have liked the workman presence that Talbot has brought to the locker room and ice on a nightly basis.
“I don’t think he had that much of a chance there from training camp, being put on waivers, up and down for a game or two. But he’s been with us now for a bit of a stretch and he’s been playing and obviously playing well,… Julien said of Talbot. “I think he’s a gritty player, probably tonight he struggled a little bit in the faceoff circle. But other than that he’s competing hard and nice again to see guys like that score some goals because they work so hard and you like to see different guys score on your team once in awhile and give your team a boost. That’s what he did, led us with that first goal, and thought played a pretty strong game from start to finish, on penalty kill, five-on-five, really reliable.…
With his first point of the year under his belt, Talbot appreciates the role he’s been given.
“It’s nice to be out there in different situations and, you know, I think Claude [Julien] gave me a little confidence out there, putting me out there,… said Talbot. “It feels good. I’m trying to do what I can. Obviously, I think for the team it’s nice when the fourth and the third line gets some goals, it gets a little bit of relief for our first and second line which usually score most of the goals. Definitely feels good.…
- Something about the Bruins and Penguins that seems to bring out the best of the Bruins. OK, maybe ‘best’ is a stretch, but with tonight’s victory, the Bruins improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games with their rivals of a black and gold feather. And when you look at what the Penguins do and where they are at right now, it appears as if that may remain the case for a quick little bit here, too. In just their second game with ex-Bruin coach Mike Sullivan, the Pens looked disjointed at best.
I can’t remember a time where I noticed Sidney Crosby less than I did in this game. This is an all-world talent that put forth perhaps the most pedestrian night of his against-the-Bruins career. This wasn’t something that the Black and Gold were doing, either, I found. Just that Crosby seemed incapable of finding that open guy with the pass or getting his shot off towards the net for a legit scoring chance. Evgeni Malkin had some chances of his own, but again, nothing to dazzle you. And did Phil kessel even play after his first period shot that rang iron? I legitimately don’t know.
The Penguins were as ‘blah’ as I can ever imagine. And in their second game with a new coach, one known for his fiery attitude and demanding style, this is almost impossible to believe.
Up next
The Bruins will make their way down to Pittsburgh for a Friday night contest with the Penguins. The B’s are expecting the Pens’ best punch given their need to impress their new coach. Something they’ve yet to do with an 0-2-0 start, and 7-to-1 goal differential through the first two games of the Sullivan Era.