NEW YORK – During the offseason, Bruce Cassidy had a decent idea what type of team he would have for 2017-18. The one question he pondered was whether backup goalie Anton Khudobin would be serviceable on a consistent basis in order to spell starter Tuukka Rask when needed.
To answer that question on Feb. 7, exactly one year to the day Cassidy replaced Claude Julien as coach, there’s a significant number that Khudobin has provided the Bruins – 26. After he helped Boston to a 6-1 victory over the New York Rangers Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, Khudobin has helped the Bruins earn 26 points in the 19 games he’s played this season. That’s impressive given his struggles last season (16 points in 14 starts).
It also helps that Rask is in the midst of a career-best, 21-game point streak and hasn’t lost in regulation since Nov. 26 against the Edmonton Oilers. The team is confident in its goaltending tandem and Khudobin’s overall performances have been key.
“They’re both playing some great hockey and helping us win,” said alternate captain Patrice Bergeron. “It’s not easy for Anton playing on the back end of a back-to-back, so it’s not an easy job and he’s really stepping up every time he’s in net and he’s playing well. Tuukks, we all know how he’s been this year, especially lately. It’s been great to have.”
For all the success the entire team is having, the idea that Khudobin is the most important player on the roster isn’t too far off, especially given the way he’s played. His success has allowed Cassidy to manage Rask’s playing time in a way that will pay dividends down the stretch and into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“Doby’s been great all year,” said Brad Marchand, who returned to the lineup after serving his five-game suspension. “Having that internal competition with the goalies, and having him play so well pushes Tuukks to play really well also and it’s showing right now because they’re both playing phenomenal hockey. They have all year and they’re the backbone of our team when they play the way they are and have been, giving us an opportunity to win every night. It’s a lot easier to play the game.”
Khudobin is a typical goalie. His personality is similar to the way he plays, sort of erratic. He’s funny and to the point. To him, this success is nothing more than only doing what he’s paid to do.
“I don’t like to talk about myself,” Khudobin told BostonSportsJournal.com with a smile.“If I’m going to say, ‘Yeah, I’m a great person’ then everybody will say, ‘Of course he loves himself.’ Sometimes it seems fake, but ask the guys and they can tell more about myself.”
His answer when asked what has allowed him to have a bounce-back season? Good work. Preparation. Eat well. Sleep well and always be a good teammate. Seems like a simple blueprint for success in any job.
“It’s been fun,” Khudobin said. “It’s been fun to win the games. I lost a game at home against Washington when Tuukks was on a winning streak and I said, ‘Tuukks, why don’t we both win? Everybody will be happy.’ It’s impossible to win every single game, but I just let things be and whatever it’s going to be, it’ll be. I control what I can control.”
His prowess was on display early in the first period against the Rangers. He actually served as the game changer and the Bruins fed off his performance. It was a mad scramble. It was also a case where the Bruins were sloppy defensively and giving up the slot time and again to the Rangers in the opening period.
“He was huge,” Bergeron said. “We had to pick it up for him because he definitely kept us in the game and gave us a chance to go play offense many times. That was an amazing game by him.”
Bruce Cassidy: "First period, our goaltender was terrific."
Yes. Yes, he was. pic.twitter.com/Lp0ht0SE5U
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 8, 2018