With the Boston Bruins sitting just four points out of first place overall in the Eastern Conference entering Monday night’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and all but assured a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs, one key component to the team’s recent success has been goalie Tuukka Rask. After a slow start in which he went 3-8-2 with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage, the Finnish net minder is 27-3-2 with a 2.05 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage, and three shutouts in his last 33 games entering last night.
The 2013-2014 Vezina Trophy winner, who on Saturday earned his 30th win of the season, now has amassed 30 wins in each of his last five season with the Bruins. That’s the most seasons by a Boston net minder in team history, with two-time Vezina winner Tim Thomas accomplishing the feat four times. Additionally, with 234 career wins, Rask is also now just 18 behind former Boston goalie Tiny Thompson for the most wins in team history.