McDonald: Cassidy enters delicate situation by rightfully starting Khudobin over Rask

LOS ANGELES – This is not a goalie controversy, but it could become a delicate situation for the Boston Bruins if backup Anton Khudobin continues to earn points.

The team is struggling in that category when Tuukka Rask is in net. There are a number of factors why that’s happening, but the Bruins seem to play better defensively in front of Khudobin. That’s a normal occurrence for any team because players’ mindsets change when the No. 2 is playing. There’s a sense of urgency, a notion that the team needs to bail out the backup. Those roles are reversed when the No. 1 plays.

Bruce Cassidy is the type of coach who's not afraid to go with the players that will help the team win. Khudobin hasn’t lost a game in regulation and improved to 4-0-2 with a huge 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at Staples Center to snap a four-game losing skid. He has a 2.35 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Rask is 3-7-2 with a 2.89 GAA and a .897 SP.

Cassidy announced Friday that Khudobin will start against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday at SAP Center. Part of that decision is based on his recent success. Plus, the Bruins played one of their better games of the season during a 2-1 win over the Sharks on Oct. 26 at TD Garden. Khudobin made 36 saves.

“Tuukka gets it, Anton’s played well,” Cassidy told reporters. “We’ve got a lot of hockey left. It’s not like this is some permanent move. It’s just kind of a gut decision we’re going with. Tuukka wishes his fellow goaltender well, he wants to win hockey games. He gets it. That’s pretty much end of story, the way I look at it.”

This situation was talked about time and again during the offseason. This is exactly why the team decided Khudobin would be the backup. The plan was for him to play between 22 and 27 games this season in order to spell Rask.

“As a goalie, you just want to give your team a chance,” Rask said recently. He also told reporters on Friday in San Jose that he understands the coach’s decision to go with Khudobin again on Saturday.

“Absolutely, I would have done the same thing if I was the coach,” Rask said. “He played a heckuva game and his results have been there. I haven’t been able to get wins in the past few starts, so it’s understandable.”

It’s been well documented that the Bruins need strong and successful performances from the backup goalie position, especially when scoring at the other end of the ice is at a premium.

“We’re just going to run with Anton (against the Sharks), simply because right now he is playing well and so we might as well enjoy that luxury,” Cassidy said.

As solid as Khudobin has been of late, let’s remember we’re still talking about Anton Khudobin. He’s not a tactically sound goalie. He’s jittery in net. As entertaining as it is to watch, it can be nerve-wracking for the team in front of him. To his credit, he’s done a better job calming down his game. He’s more in control. He’s controlling his rebounds better and has made the timely saves at crucial moments.

After a dismal start to last season, Khudobin regained his confidence with a solid finish to 2016-17. 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 and now he seems mentally, physically and emotionally ready to produce.

He gladly accepts his backup role, but admitted during training camp that he’s comfortable playing more games.

“I’ve always said, for goalies, it’s really important to play more in they are in a rhythm,” he said. “But my job is a little different, so I have to stay sharp.”

Cassidy hasn’t held back with his assessment of the team this season. He’s been honest and upfront. He hasn’t criticized Rask specifically but some of the coach’s comments have been telling when discussing the goaltending.

Prior to Thursday’s win, Cassidy said the team needed a win, needed points and a goaltender’s performance should carry a team during difficult stretches.

“We’ve got to correct that internally as a team, but that’s what goaltenders are paid for and we need that,” Cassidy said, referring to both goalies. “Dobby’s given us that and every time he’s been in there he’s given us points, so that’s a positive for him and we’re going to need that.”

Khudobin accomplished that and for his efforts, he’s getting another start.