Stanley Cup Final: (A2) Boston Bruins vs. (C3) St. Louis Blues

[2014olympicgold]

The playoff run Boston is on is only because of Rask.

His elimination game numbers are insane:
Toronto Game 6: 22/24
Toronto Game 7: 32/33
CBJ Game 6: 39/39
CAR Game 4: 24/24
STL Game 6: 28/29
Total: 145/149 for a 0.973s%.

[PenguinHunter]

Game 7!!! The only thing that can make this better is if it goes into overtime!!

[4T2]

The playoff run Boston is on is only because of Rask.

His elimination game numbers are insane:
Toronto Game 6: 22/24
Toronto Game 7: 32/33
CBJ Game 6: 39/39
CAR Game 4: 24/24
STL Game 6: 28/29
Total: 145/149 for a 0.973s%.

Yep, all because of Rask... has nothing to do with them winning 4 of those 6 elimination games by 3+ goals.
Or Brad Marchand scoring at a point-per-game.
Or the fact that they have tied an NHL record with 21 different players having scored a goal these playoffs.
Or that they have a +31 goal differential.
Or that they have scored on 33.8% of their powerplays.

Yes sir... all Rask. Only reason they are still in it.

[2014olympicgold]

Yep, all because of Rask... has nothing to do with them winning 4 of those 6 elimination games by 3+ goals.
Or Brad Marchand scoring at a point-per-game.
Or the fact that they have tied an NHL record with 21 different players having scored a goal these playoffs.
Or that they have a +31 goal differential.
Or that they have scored on 33.8% of their powerplays.

Yes sir... all Rask. Only reason they are still in it.

Toronto Game 6: Toronto went 0/3 PP
Toronto Game 7: Toronto went 0/0 PP
CBJ Game 6: CBJ went 0/4 PP
CAR Game 4: Carolina went 0/2 PP
STL Game 6: Blues went 0/4 PP



The PK has been ridiculous in those games, and Rask has been the best PK’er. I’m still saying the reason why they’re here is Rask. The timely saves he's had in those elimination games have been so key.

[4T2]

Toronto Game 6: Toronto went 0/3 PP
Toronto Game 7: Toronto went 0/0 PP
CBJ Game 6: CBJ went 0/4 PP
CAR Game 4: Carolina went 0/2 PP
STL Game 6: Blues went 0/4 PP



The PK has been ridiculous in those games, and Rask has been the best PK’er. I’m still saying the reason why they’re here is Rask. The timely saves he's had in those elimination games have been so key.

I agree that Rask is a huge part of why the Bruins are where they are. The only other players in the series who deserves Conn Smythe consideration are from the other team (O'Reilly,Binnington). However, to suggest that Rask is the only reason the Bruins are here is ridiculous. (And it has been suggested to me in multiple places, usually by Leaf fans). It takes away from the fact that the Bruins as a team have been dominant in so many ways.

Yes the PK and Rask have been great. But as I mentoned, the PP has been converting on every third chance. Their offense has gotten 3.39 goals/game, the only team better than that was Vegas who went out in the first round. Their have a +31 goal differential to the Blues +2. The second best goal differential in these playoffs has been +5.

To suggest that Rask is the only reason the Bruins are in a win or take all game for the Cup is dismissing an absolutely spectacular showing from well-balanced team. If anything, your goalie narrative fits the Blues far better than the Bruins.

[2014olympicgold]

As goal differential is a good stat, I think in the playoffs it's a bit misconstrued. Teams are pulling goalies down 3, if there is a blowout (either way) players start not playing cause the coach knows it's just a battle in a war. However, their goal differential is very much a large part due to Rask. Pretty sure he hasn't let in more than 3 goals all playoffs.

So yeah, it's obviously a team sport, but having a 0.973s% in elimination games...Ya they aren't here without him. Even in the 5-1 loss, Rask held the Blues offence at bay when it was 1-0 for 2/3rds of the game.

[4T2]

As goal differential is a good stat, I think in the playoffs it's a bit misconstrued. Teams are pulling goalies down 3, if there is a blowout (either way) players start not playing cause the coach knows it's just a battle in a war. However, their goal differential is very much a large part due to Rask. Pretty sure he hasn't let in more than 3 goals all playoffs.

So yeah, it's obviously a team sport, but having a 0.973s% in elimination games...Ya they aren't here without him. Even in the 5-1 loss, Rask held the Blues offence at bay when it was 1-0 for 2/3rds of the game.

The save % in elimination games is also buoyed by shutouts when the other teams (Jackets and Canes) were facing elimination. Still a great feat but not exactly relevant to keeping the Bruins in the playoffs.

So let's look at the 3 games where Rask has kept them from going home.

Game 6 vs Toronto
Bruins win 4-2 (w/ empty net goal)
Bruins out shot Toronto 40-24
Rask saved 22 of 24, great performance and a huge part of keeping the Bruins alive

Game 7 vs Toronto
Bruins win 5-1 (w/ 2 empty net goals)
Tight game with Bruins holding slight edge in shots 33-30
Rask saved 32 of 33, definitely one of the main reasons the Bruins hung on the win Game 7 and stay alive in the process

Game 6 vs St Louis
Bruins win 5-1 (w/ 1 empty net goal)
Another tight game with the Blues out-shooting the Bruins 31-29
Rask definitely held the Blues offence at bay for the first two periods in what was a very tight 2/3rds of the game, after which Boston came out and dominated in the third period. Rask was a big part of this game but far from the only reason they won.

[rataylor22]

Bruins “fans”. Just. Bruins “fans” man.

[PenguinHunter]

Bruins “fans”. Just. Bruins “fans” man.

Are you calling the Bruins fans just? I think when a single word makes up a full sentence like that it usually takes the form of an adjective. And 'just' as an adjective means:

based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.

[4T2]

Bruins “fans”. Just. Bruins “fans” man.

Are you calling the Bruins fans just? I think when a single word makes up a full sentence like that it usually takes the form of an adjective. And 'just' as an adjective means: based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair

I like PH's interpretation, I'll take the complement rataylor22, since it's the closest thing to something positive to ever come out of your keyboard

[ericdaoust]

Lots of saltiness here at this time of year...

[4T2]

[Axeman33]

I like PH's interpretation, I'll take the complement rataylor22, since it's the closest thing to something positive to ever come out of your keyboard

LOL! Snap!

[PenguinHunter]

LOL! Snap!

This is going to be an exciting Game 7!!!

[Bobby4Ever]

boy , what an embarrassing mistake the Blues made releasing the ad in the St. Louis Dispatch congratulating everyone on their Stanley Cup win. Bruins all saw that and didn't like it , im sure somebody got fired for that.