Posted by Gayle Simone, Sun Staff
Not only have the Boston Bruins signed goalie prospect Tuukka Rask to a multi-year deal, but the 20-year-old will join Providence for the remainder of the AHL-Calder Cup Playoffs.
According to BostonBruins.Com, the youngster has joined the team to get used to North America and "to get him to feel really good to be part of the organization."
Rask played 30 games in the Finnish league posting a .926 SV percentage and 2.09 GAA.
Since the NHL Entry Draft last year when the Bruins aquired Rask for Andrew Raycroft from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the organization has been talking about this goaltender saying he is the "best goalie not playing in the NHL."
I guess we'll see what happens in training camp, according to GM Peter Chiarelli (as reported on the team's website) Rask will participate in practice with the team and ONLY play in a game if he has to. I'm assuming that to mean - Hannu Toivonen would have to be injured, along with Brian Finely and Jordan Sigalet for Rask so see any game time action.
The Baby Bs are in the midst of a seven game series against the Manchester Monarchs. The series is tied at one game a piece with Providence hosting the next two games (Tuesday and Wednesday).
In other hockey news, the Buffalo Sabres, my Stanley Cup pick, ended their series yesterday as they defeated the Broadway Blue Shirts 5-4. I think the Ottawa and Buffalo series for the right to play in the Cup finals is going to be the best series of the playoffs. The Sens and Ray Emery may have made short work of the Devils; but this series will be the true test for Emery - no way does Jersey have any where the offensive talent the Sabres do.
Detroit looks to end their series against Bruins-West (San Jose) tonight to be the team to face Anaheim in the Western Conference finals. If the Sharks can force a game seven, the two clubs will face off again Wednesday in the Motor City.
What do you think of the Bruins signing Rask? Are you waiting to see if he can live up to the hype surrounding him before passing judgement? Do you think Detroit is going to end their series tonight with San Jose? Now that three of the four teams to play in the conference finals have been decided, have you changed your mind on who will win the Cup?
I don't think I'd comment on Rask until next year during training camp. If he's not going to play then I don't know what to think of him. If he's so good I'd think they'd try to get him into a game or two- plenty of teams in the AHL bring in guys from college and dump guys who had played there all year...
Detroit should finish off San Jose but maybe not until Game 7. SJ is tough at home and should be fired up for the game. I still think whoever wins this series is fodder for the Ducks to beat in, at most 6.
In the East the Senators in 6 is my pick (and has been since the start of the playoffs). Buffalo is way overrated and were lucky to be matched up with two of the worst teams in the playoffs thus far which will not be the case with Ottawa. I don't think it will matter how well Emery plays because Miller will be letting in about 5 a game against the powerful Sens' offense.
In the finals it'll go at least 6 games and probably 7- if it's Ducks/Sens you can flip a coin as it would be a close series...
Posted by dboisver | May 7, 2007 3:23 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 15:23
I have to disagree with you DB about Buffalo being overrated and as far as the Sabres and Miller vs. Ottawa and Emery they are virtually neck-and-neck...
Buffalo and Miller are 8-3 in the playoffs, while Ottawa and Emery are 8-2.
Miller has a 2.07 GAA with a .928 SV percentage; Emery has a 2.04 GAA with a .919 SV percentage.
Miller has allowed 24 goals on 334 shots faced, Emery has allowed 21 on 258 shots faced.
Heatley is the leading scorer for the Sens with 14 points, Spezza and Alfredsson have 12 and 11 points respectively.
Briere leads the Sabres with 11 points; Drury and Zubrus have 10 and 8 points.
Ottawa's next two leading scorers are Preissing with 6 and Redden with 5; Buffalo's Vanek and Campbell both have 7.
The series on paper looks pretty even and one big key is Buffalo has home ice advantage.
I know during the regular season Ottawa took the season series (5-3) between the two clubs; but the playoffs are different and I still take Buffalo - in six. Either way it's going to be a great series to watch.
Posted by Gayle | May 7, 2007 5:22 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 17:22
While Tim Thomas did a commendable job behind the pipes this past season; The Bruins are just being on the safe side bringing in Rask and seeing where the chips may fall. Good luck B's they'll need it!
Loyal New England Sports Fan
Posted by Shappy | May 7, 2007 10:22 PM
Posted on May 7, 2007 22:22
The thing is - Miller and the Sabres put up their playoff numbers against far inferior competition to the teams Ottawa played. Would Buffalo have done as well having to play Pittsburgh and New Jersey as they did playing the two New York teams? I think Ottawa is far more prepared to play a good team than Buffalo is right now- I think Ottawa will take one of the first two in Buffalo, steal home ice back, and finish them off in the 6th game at home.
I remember you using pretty much the same argument about the playoffs being different to say the Sharks would beat the Red Wings and we saw how that one turned out :-)
I do agree it will be a good series to watch but I just can't see Buffalo, with a history of underachivement, breaking through against a team as talented as Ottawa is.
Posted by dboisver | May 8, 2007 9:20 AM
Posted on May 8, 2007 09:20
Actually, the Sharks won the regular season series with Detroit, what I sais was I thought SJ had more youth and speed to beat Detroit and yeah I was wrong.
I think you're under estimating the play of Buffalo ... remember -they were in the same place last year and lost the chance to play for the Cup in Game 7 of the Conference Finals to eventual Cup winner Carolina. I think they are going to remember that and use that as part of the motivation to elevate their play.
And Ottawa has never beaten the Sabres in a playoff series (lost to them in '97 and '99). Yeah, before you say it.... I know it's a long time ago, I'm just not wavering in my pick GO SABRES!
Posted by Gayle | May 8, 2007 10:33 AM
Posted on May 8, 2007 10:33
I think both teams won't lack motivation- the Sens to finally get to a Cup final- Buffalo to erase some frustration in the playoffs of their own. I think in the end it will come down to the Sabres' ability (or inability) to shut down Alfredsson/Spezza/Heatley. They made mincemeat out of the Devils' supposed #1 checking line in the NHL and I don't know that the Sabres have any line that can mark those guys.
If they can find a way to stop them then, sure, Buffalo could win the series. If the best defensive team in hockey with the best playoff goalie couldn't do it I find it hard to believe Buffalo will be able to but I guess stranger things have happened. Stay tuned as they say in the TV biz. Go Sens :-)
Posted by dboisver | May 8, 2007 12:43 PM
Posted on May 8, 2007 12:43