Tuukka Rask (yes, him) focused on giving the offense a boost

In order for the Boston Bruins to have success this season, Tuukka Rask needs to make major contributions offensively.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Stopping the puck won’t be the only responsibility for the No. 1 goalie because his teammates also need his help at the other end of the ice. When Bruce Cassidy took over the head coaching duties last February, he wanted the team to be more aggressive offensively and push the play.

That begins with the breakout, so Cassidy and Rask spoke after the season about being more aggressive with the puck to help the defensemen get it out of the zone quicker. On Day 1 of on-ice sessions, Cassidy designed drills that would help simulate that and allow the defensemen to advance the puck quicker then jump into the play. The reps will help make it become second nature.

Still, Rask is cautious.

“You want to play quick, but you don’t want to sacrifice defense just so you can score a goal or two,” Rask said. “You have to play within the structure, and we obviously want to play quick, but you don’t want to get out of position and start running around and lose your structure because you’re going to get burned.

“There are a lot of good teams, a lot of good players in the league, so you have to be disciplined out there. The forwards and D-men that we have are very quick. They move the puck and skate up the ice, so it’s very exciting for the fans, but we always talk about the layers and we just need to have layers.”

This system isn’t new for the Bruins. They played this style under Cassidy down the stretch last season. To a man, the players are excited with the pace and believe it will lead to success.

“The biggest thing is we don’t want to be reckless,” Rask said. “There’s a fine medium there and we’ve got to find that.”

Because the structure is different, it forces Rask to handle the puck more to help the breakout.

“We talked about it a little bit after the season that I might have to play it a bit more,” admitted Rask. “The way we want to play, there might be some more rims and dump-ins, so if that’s the case that’s fine. We never had any issues with it but we keep talking about playing quick, so if I get the puck I’ll move it quick to help the breakout.”

Cassidy wants Rask to have more confidence coming out and playing pucks. It’s not his strongest quality, but it’s something he’s been working on.

“It always helps the breakout if the opposition knows a goalie’s a threat to move it,” Cassidy said. “I’m not asking him to be a third defenseman or a Marty Brodeur in his day. But to get out there and stop some pucks and place them for the D would be one more threat.

“Tuukka makes good decisions with the puck and handles it just fine, but I’d like to see him be a little more proactive in that area.”

It starts in practice. Beginning late last season, the pace is incredible. There’s no wasting time or motions.

“It’s more game-like,” Rask said. “I like it.”

Before practice begins on the ice, Cassidy goes over the plan in the locker room, so there’s no time being wasted. The communication on the backend is critical. The defensemen have to know when Rask will be more aggressive with the puck and how he’s going to play it.

“Yeah, a little bit for sure,” said defenseman Kevan Miller. “When Tuukka plays the puck, or we know it’s going to one side, the other defenseman can jump and be the fourth player on the rush.

“You try to put yourself in a position to get up the ice a little bit quicker. You’re obviously there to support your defenseman and the other players on the ice. Say they make the play up the boards, and you have the opportunity to jump, we’re going to try to take those opportunities more.”

Boston’s defensive core will be a solid mix of veterans and young talent. Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy will be asked to play important minutes and Rask said he’s comfortable with the young minds in front of him.

His advice to the younger defensemen: “Just play with confidence. They’ve got that confidence and that’s their best quality. They’re not afraid to make mistakes and that’s what we need – great skaters, great puck-moving D-men – and once they have that confidence they just keep it rolling.

“It’s a long season, so at times I wouldn’t be surprised if they get down on themselves, but that’s why we have the veteran leadership here to help them out.”

Personally, Rask is feeling 100 percent after offseason surgery to repair a hernia. He suffered the injury while playing for Team Finland at the World Cup of Hockey last September and played the entire season in discomfort.

After the surgery, he began skating in late July and continued his rehab in Boston. He said he’s moving better and there’s no pain.

“It’s nice to move now because it doesn’t hurt,” Rask said. “It doesn’t feel like you’re going to rip your leg out every time.”

Another important aspect to the team’s success will be Rask’s workload. It’s well documented the numbers start to go against him when he plays more than 60 games. That’s why the backup position is vital.

Rask said there’s no perfect number.

“If I have to play three games in four nights, or four games in six nights, for a couple of weeks in a row it wears on you,” Rask said. “If you can cut one game here or there and then give yourself a two-day break, that’s something that didn’t happen a couple of years ago, or last year and now that’s going to pay off in the end.”

Playing too many games has an impact both physically and mentally.

“As you get older and you get more experience you learn how to manage that, but the biggest thing is we’re looking to make the playoffs and looking to make a run, so you want to be fresh come June.”

If the Bruins are fortunate enough to play spring hockey in June, Rask will need to help put the puck in the net, along with keeping it out.