Khudobin to make first start Saturday against Coyotes

PHOENIX – If a pro athlete, especially an NHL goalie, experiences a string of subpar performances, most of the time that player wants to show his resiliency and regain the respect of his teammates.

After a dismal start to last season, Anton Khudobin regained personal and team-wide confidence with a solid finish. He posted a six-game win streak from Feb. 11 to April 2, and those performances basically saved his job in Boston for this season. It put him in the right frame of mind for the offseason. Now, he seems mentally, physically and emotionally ready to produce.

Still, there are questions whether Khudobin could successfully and consistently handle being Tuukka Rask's backup. Coach Bruce Cassidy believes Khudobin is ready. He was solid during the preseason, and was outstanding in a third-period relief role against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday night at Pepsi Center.

Since the Bruins have back-to-back games this weekend in Phoenix and Las Vegas, Cassidy decided to give Khudobin the start against the Coyotes on Sunday, followed by Rask on Sunday versus the Golden Knights.

It goes without saying how important this start is for Khudobin.

“For himself, and us,” Cassidy said. “Let’s face it, we need good games out of that position, whether you’re the starter or the backup, especially now on the road trip, you’d like to get off on the right foot and we didn’t. If we can get on the right foot (Saturday) and that will help us a lot. We’re asking him to do his part, no more, and we’ve got to play well in front of him, score some goals for him, but he’s been good so far, so I don’t know why that would change.”

The Bruins need him to play at least 22 to 27 games this season in order to spell Rask. If he struggles early, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bruins general manager Don Sweeney decides to look elsewhere to improve the position.

Khudobin is well aware of that possibility.

“It’s really important that I have (a strong) start and play the same I finished last season,” he said. “It’s important for the team, and important for me too. I’m looking forward to doing that. I just have to focus on my job. I can’t control what I can’t, so I’m going to control what I can. I can control my preparation, my game and my practices.”

Wednesday was a good sign for Khudobin. With the Bruins trailing 4-1 entering the third period against the Avalanche, Boston scored twice before losing 6-3 (Colorado scored two empty-netters) but the backup goalie made numerous timely saves and kept his team in the game. He was moving well with cat-like reflexes and stifled the Avalanche.

“He did a good job,” Cassidy said. “I saw him play pretty well in preseason against Detroit, played well again in Chicago and played well the other night when he went in, so camp was good and I expect him to play well.”

Rask was pulled Wednesday. Not because he was awful, but because he was frequently hung out to dry.

“He stepped in great,” Rask said. “He made three or four really nice saves and kept us in it. As a goalie, you just want to give your team a chance, and that’s what he did.”

Plus, Cassidy wanted Khudobin to see some game action before his start on Saturday. It’s true, the overall success for the Bruins this season is in Khudobin’s hands. The start Saturday at Gila River Arena should be a good indication.