The Most Underrated Bruin of the 2000's

In all my years as a Boston sports fan and overall as a hockey fan, never have I seen a player receive as much disrespect as Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask. The Finnish netminder has been scapegoated on many occasions by some for Stanley Cup losses in 2013 and 2019 as well as seasons where the club has missed the postseason entirely. These skeptics push aside the fact that Rask carried the Bruins to two Stanley Cup berths and hauled a rubbish team to the 2nd round in 2010. Rask has had seasons among the all-time best Bruins and has solidly been a top five goalie in the NHL statistically every year. Without a doubt Rask has flourished more by having a strong backup in Jaroslav Halak, but he still is the brick wall for the 2020 Presidents' Trophy winners. Simply put Boston would have not had the success they did this past decade of hockey without number 40 between the pipes. From his time throwing milk crates on the ice for AHL Providence after an outrageous shootout (look that up on YouTube for a treat) to clutch saves in a skunking of a dominant Penguins squad in the East Finals, Rask embodies the black and gold spirit. He as been as consistent as Patrice Bergeron, but does not get the commiserate credit. Tell me a career regular season goals against average of 2.12 and save percentage is not good. Tell me a career 2.19 goals against average and a.927 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is not good. Tell me that Tuukka Rask is not and never has been an elite goaltender in the National Hockey League and I'll tell you to cry me a river. Tuukka Rask will win a Stanley Cup ring as a starter in the near future and all the statistics will be very clearly validated. So as the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin shortly in the hub cities of corona times, remember one thing: Tuukka Rask is good.