If the Boston Bruins were planning on a relatively conservative post-Olympic workload for Tuukka Rask, they need not deviate that outline. If anything, the top Finnish stopper’s performance in the second week of the 2014 Games underscored what he can do when he has enough fuel for his competitive flame.
Provided the Bruins handle it with diligence, that flame could be a difference-maker in the wake of what is now looking like a helpful business trip abroad.
In his last dozen NHL appearances before the Olympics, Rask looked to be enduring and then rinsing out some post-holiday vinegar. Between Dec. 31 and Jan. 14, he went 2-4-0 with at least three goals against in those four losses, four setbacks three times and five blinks in two outings.
Between Jan. 19 and Feb. 6, he made a U-turn and posted a 3-1-2 record, confining the opposition to two regulation strikes or fewer five times.
With that stretch, a two-week respite suddenly looked like less of a dire need, but Olympic participation still could have gone either way. It still could have drained him of more physical fuel along with irrecoverable ounces of ...
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Article written by Al Daniel
What Should the Boston Bruins Expect From Tuukka Rask After the Olympic Break?
February 23rd, 2014 by Al Daniel Leave a reply »
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