The Boston Bruins appear to have an old-fashioned goalie controversy on their hands, with starter Tuukka Rask giving way to backup Anton Khudobin.
As far as Rask is concerned, though, any such talk is purely media-driven and doesn't reflect any issues in the locker room.
"It's only a matter of what you guys (in the press) write that makes it a controversy," said Rask, according to Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald. "For us, it's not a controversy. Obviously people look at salaries - how much I'm making ($7 million) and how much he's making ($1.2 million) - and make that a big deal. But if he's playing very, very good and getting the wins, then I can't complain."
After 11 days off while head coach Bruce Cassidy rode Khudobin's hot hand, Rask returned to the crease Sunday. He allowed three goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, failing to secure his status as the de facto No. 1.
As a result, the numbers continue to skew heavily in Khudobin's favor:
| Goalie | Games | Record | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuukka Rask | 13 | 3-8-2 | .899 |
| Anton Khudobin | 10 | 7-0-2 | .932 |
Cassidy hasn't named a starter for Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Rask is prepared to either start or sit while trying to maintain a level head.
"It can affect you mentally if you let it. I try not to," Rask said. "Doby has played unbelievable. He's getting the wins and that's what matters. ... The only thing I can control is to show up, have a good work ethic and a good attitude. And when you play you try to give the team a chance to win."
Rask's career save percentage sits at .922, but he hasn't eclipsed .915 in either of the past two seasons, perhaps suggesting some decline in the 2014 Vezina Trophy winner's play.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.