Tuukka Rask proved Friday night that he’s more than ready for the regular season to begin.
The Boston Bruins goaltender was masterful in Boston’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals, wrapping up the preseason by saving all 15 shots sent his way.
The Capitals, who tied for sixth in the NHL in goals per game last season, certainly had their chances against Rask, but the 28-year-old stood tall at each turn before exiting after the second period.
“After two periods, we all knew his game was back,” head coach Claude Julien told reporters after the game, via BostonBruins.com. “So it was important to give (backup Jeremy Smith) another look, as well.”
Smith faced 14 shots in a very eventful third period and overtime, allowing only an Alexander Ovechkin tally with 2:34 remaining in regulation. It was the 26-year-old’s final opportunity to prove his worth, as the team now must decide whether to keep him or veteran Jonas Gustavsson as its backup goaltender.
“I feel confident,” said Smith. “I mean, I’m worrying about my game and getting better and talking to (goalie coach Bob Essensa) about what I can work on.
“I think the goal is to be successful at this level, not just to make it to this level. I want to be an impact player, so I think it’s a process and in due time, hopefully it will happen.”
A few additional notes from Friday’s game, which quickly turned into a fight-fest:
— Fighting and physical play were prevalent, with the teams combining for 68 penalty minutes.
Kevan Miller dropped the gloves twice for the Bruins — fighting Capitals forward Tom Wilson both times — and Adam McQuaid and Tyler Randell each did so once. The bad blood also spilled over into the penalty boxes.
Miller’s second fight followed a high hit by Wilson on Bruins defenseman Matt Irwin, and McQuaid’s was retaliation for a late check he sustained from T.J. Oshie. Torey Krug initially engaged Oshie before his 6-foot-4 defense partner took over and swung away at the former Olympic hero.
Fighting carries an obvious injury risk (and both Miller and McQuaid spent a great deal of time in the trainer’s room last season), but Julien was pleased with his team’s response to what he considered questionable hits.
“You saw tonight that guys are sticking up for each other, so that’s also a good sign in my mind,” the coach told reporters. “There’s some cheap shots taken and liberties, and our guys stood up for each other.”
— Miller suffered a dislocated shoulder in a fight last October — an injury that ultimately cut short his season in February. The 26-year-old indicated over the summer that the setback might change the way he approaches fighting in the future, but he was singing a different tune Thursday at Bruins media day.
“To be honest with you, I got out there and there were times — twice now — where I’ve been wanting to go,” Miller said. “It’s almost like a switch, where I completely forget. Which is a good thing, because initially I thought it would be a little hesitant, but it’s actually not. It feels better than my other shoulder right now.”
— Punches weren’t the only things hitting faces Friday night.
There was Wilson’s unfortunate introduction to the end boards:
And Irwin used his mug to stop an Ovechkin wrist shot:
— Zac Rinaldo and Zach Trotman were healthy scratches for the game, while Gustavsson and Max Talbot remained back in Boston. Trotman is a lock to make the team, but roster spots for Rinaldo, Talbot and especially Gustavsson are not guaranteed.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
