Analysis: Tuukka Rask's performance in Game 4 was better than you think

When analyzing Tuukka Rask’s winning performance from Game 4 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, turns out he was even better than first thought. Many of his 31 saves weren’t highlight-reel caliber, but it was the timely stops that proved crucial.

Rask did exactly what elite goaltenders need to do during the Stanley Cup playoffs – steal a game.

That’s something he hasn’t been able to accomplish on a consistent basis in past postseason runs, so the fact that he stole a game in the first round bodes well for the Bruins. His performance allowed the Bruins to take a 3-1 series lead with the opportunity to close it out on home ice Saturday night at TD Garden.



The former Vezina Trophy winner has been criticized (and he’s well aware of that criticism) for his inability to carry the team to a Stanley Cup championship. It was the Blackhawks’ Corey Crawford that stole the final game in 2013. Since that spring, the Bruins have failed to advance past the second round.

This playoff run has a chance to be different.

Rask’s mode is different. He’s always focused, but now he seems a bit jaded and maybe that’s a good thing. His performance in Game 4 against the Maple Leafs Thursday night at Air Canada Centre exuded confidence. There was definitely a chip on his shoulder after the 3-1 win.

Rask tweaked a couple of technical tendencies, but he had terrific focus, starting with the morning skate and it translated into his game.

“On the road, you’re going to need a little extra at some point,” Bruce Cassidy said. “We got it and we needed it, because early on they were better. We found our legs and started managing the puck better and we scored some goals for him. It’s a good formula. Every team needs goaltending. There will be the odd night when you get away without it, but (Thursday) night we needed him to dig in and be very good and he was.”

When Rask was in the midst of his career-best win streak in February, there were a few aspects to his game that he tweaked prior to that string of success and it's carried into the first four games of this series. His timing, tracking and puck retention have all been solid and that's why he was at his best in Game 4 even though many of his saves didn't have the "wow' factor.

“He played a phenomenal game,” Marchand said of his goaltender. “He’s one of the best goalies in the world and he gives us an opportunity to win every night. He made a lot of big saves at the right times early on to give us a chance to get back in the game. You’ve got to give him a lot of credit tonight.”

No one wants to end this series on Saturday night more than Rask. He understands anything can happen in the Stanley Cup playoffs and it doesn't matter if you own a 3-1 series lead. He's not a fan of reliving the past but he learned a valuable lesson against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010.

"We have to prepare ourselves as well as we can and go for the win, obviously,” Rask said. “That’s the only mindset you can have. Those last games, those clinching games, are always the toughest ones. The other team is going to come out hard and do whatever they can to get a win. We have to be mentally and physically ready, get some rest (Friday) and get back at it on Saturday.”

If Rask can bottle his Game 4 performance and repeat it at least a dozen more times then the Bruins could steal the show this spring.