Bruins goalie Anton Khudobin gets the nod against the Predators

NASHVILLE – Even in the midst of a four-game winning streak, Boston Bruins backup goaltender Anton Khudobin knew he would be watching from the bench in short order.

He sat in the locker room at Warrior Ice Arena after a recent practice with an almost stunned look on his face. He was told that Tuukka Rask would be starting again and it could be more than a week before Khudobin was back in the net.

No matter how well one plays, it’s the reality for a backup goalie.

“I knew it was going to happen,” Khudobin said. “Am I happy with that? No. I want to play. But, I know Tuukka will play more than me when he’s healthy and that’s the bottom line. When I’m playing a lot of games it’s easier for me. Sitting on the bench never helps.

“I accepted that when I signed the contract. I knew where I was going and I knew why I’m here. If I wouldn’t accept that I would have picked something else. When I play more, it’s always great for me, but I knew what the role is for me here. There’s not much else I can say about it.”

Rask won two of his three starts and has found his game. Coach Bruce Cassidy accomplished exactly what he wanted and now the team has two capable goalies to give the team a chance to win. It’s a balancing act for a coach to keep both players sharp, so Cassidy decided Khudobin will start against the Nashville Predators on Monday at Bridgestone Arena.

“Just give us a chance to win,” Cassidy said. “Hopefully he’s still in form and that’s the risk you take by not starting him. He’s sat for a little while, but he’s a guy that’s used to that and you hope he’ll find his game quickly and we’re good in front of him.

“This is not a easy building to play in, so it’s going to be a good challenge for him but he’s been up for it so far, especially on the road he’s been really good for us. I assume he’ll play a good game for us and we need to play well in front of him, just like we did against Philly for Tuukka. That was one of our best defensive games, in terms of allowing scoring chances, so hopefully we can bring some of that mentality for (Khudobin).”

In no way is Khudobin a disruption in the room. He’s not complaining about his situation, he’s just being honest. Of course he wants to play, every pro athlete does. He’s only a victim of circumstance in this instance.

“I still don’t want to deal with that, to be honest,” Khudobin said. “In the AHL, I was pretty much a No. 1 goalie all the time, and I knew when I got to the NHL I would have to go to the No. 2 job and right now it’s pretty much the same. What’s different? Would I change my preparation? I didn’t change anything. I do everything that I’ve been doing for years. It’s just harder when you’re not playing as much to go in there and be ready 100 percent. I mean, you’re ready 100 percent, but it’s harder when you don’t feel the game when you’re not playing.”

His numbers have been impressive. He’s 7-0-2 in 10 games, including a 2.22 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. After a tough start to last season, he finished the year on a personal six-game winning streak. That performance saved his job in Boston and now he’s playing with confidence.

“It was a spring board to this year,” Cassidy said. “I’ve always liked Doby as a person and I like him as a goaltender. He’s able to push the No. 1 and that’s what has happened this year, so good for us and good for him.”

It’s well documented the teams that enjoy deep playoff runs rely on two goaltenders during the season. Yes, one might run away with the job, but a solid tandem pays dividends. Khudobin has done exactly what the Bruins asked him to do and when he’s not playing, there haven’t been any issues.

“He’s a very likably guy,” admitted Cassidy. “He comes to the rink every day in a pretty good mood. He’s a little bit goofy, so that helps, but he’s able to focus when he needs to. To be a good backup, you need to have that type of personality.

After the team’s optional practice at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday, Khudobin sat at his stall and asked why most players enjoy coming to Nashville. He’s not a big country music fan and doesn’t understand the hype. That’s exactly the type of personality Cassidy was referring to because it’s the day before Khudobin returns to the lineup and he would rather discuss music than his backup position.

He doesn’t seem to think he’s lost his momentum after returning to the bench, despite his recent success.

“I’m not predicting anything, but hopefully it will continue,” Khudobin said.