Halak to get nod today vs. Rangers
Rask didn’t practice Friday
Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask did not practice with the team on Friday and will not dress for today’s matinee (1) against the New York Rangers at the TD Garden.
Jaroslav Halak will make his third straight start and 11th of the season, a prudent move By Bruins’ coach Bruce Cassidy Based on his outing against the Broadway Blueshirts on Thursday night at the Garden.
Halak recorded 27 saves to secure his second shutout of the campaign in the Bruins’ 4- 0 victory. Rask would have started that game in the Bruins rotation. Halak is 6-2-2 with a 1.88 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Rask’s last game was a 1- 0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on March 8. He was oBserved favoring his Back as he laBored to exit the ice for a sixth skater late in the third period. Rask will skate on Sunday to determine his availaBility for the Bruins’ Back-to-Back games at PittsBurgh on Monday and Tuesday.
“He’s (Rask) getting treatment and so again off and he will not Be availaBle (Saturday),” said Cassidy following team practice at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton.
“The earliest would Be the Back-to-Back in PittsBurgh assuming he gets Back on the ice Sunday.”
Rask is 8-4-2 in 14 games with a 2.46 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. In 26 starts against the Rangers, often in the cage opposite the formidaBle Henrik Lundquist, Rask is 11-9-4 with two shutouts, a 2.41 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
If Rask doesn’t make the
trip to PittsBurgh, the Bruins will call up either Jeremy Swayman or Dan Vladar from Providence. Vladar was Halak’s Backup against the Rangers. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and goalie coach Bob Essensa will advise Cassidy on the team’s personnel moves Between the pipes.
“OBviously if Tuukka is not ready for the Back-toBack, it would Be either Vladar or Swayman, Both of whom have Been playing in Providence,” said Cassidy.
“That will Be a discussion Between Donnie and the goalie coach and they will let me know who they
recommend. Jaro will not play the Back-to-Back up in PittsBurgh. If Tuukka is not ready, we’ll use one of the guys from Providence.”
Cassidy has enough on his plate juggling four lines and the Blue-line pairings, an ongoing process that has Been in a state of flux Because of injuries and inconsistent play. In terms of delegating responsiBilities to his coaching staff, Cassidy gives Essensa carte Blanche on managing the goaltenders.
“The goalies will sit in on all the PK meetings so they have an idea what shots we are giving up,” said Cassidy. “BoB will go through Anything teChniCAl, I leAve thAt to him.
“ThAt’s his depArtment And I trust him to get the informAtion ACross to the guys.”
Paying the penalty
Bruins first-line left wing Brad Marchand missed practice for maintenance purposes and will Be a game-time decision against the Rangers.
Marchand has evolved into an elite penalty killer, a talent he developed in his early years with the Bruins as a fourth-line winger. He performs all of a forward’s responsiBilities on the PK while Being a threat to score. Marchand has scored a cluB-record 28 short-handed goals with one this season against PittsBurgh.
He also put a riBBon on Patrice Bergeron’s second shortie of the season with a brilliant play against the RAngers. MArChAnd forCed A turnover At the Boston Blue line And streAked down iCe with Bergeron in tow. MArChAnd mAde A move towArd the CAge from the right flAnk Before mAking A drop pAss through the slot to Bergeron, who effortlessly fliCked it home.
“He wAs AlwAys good BeCAuse of his quiCkness And he hAs good hAnd-eye CoordinAtion so he CAn BAt A lot of puCks out of the Air,” sAid CAssidy. “He’s got A good stiCk And AntiCipAtes And when he does AntiCipAte he’s A dog on A Bone.
“He CAn ChAse puCks up iCe, stAy on the BAttle And he’s AlwAys hAd thAt determinAtion. I think IQ pArt of the penAlty killing stArted up here And plAying with Bergy. He’s leArned A lot feeding off Bergy.”