In his first shutout of the season, Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask stopped all 24 shots last night against the Minnesota Wild, a feat that marked his 250th victory. The win also marked a season high for the Bruins: five consecutive wins in a row. Rask is now two wins away from tying goalie Tiny Thompson for most in Bruins history. Rask’s record has now improved to 4-0-0 with a .959 save percentage in his past four games.
GAME NOTES
The first period opened with a tip-in goal from Danton Heinen (assisted by John Moore) at 5:23, getting Boston on board 1-0. Brad Marchand would net the second goal of night when he scored on a rebound that was off the end boards from a wide shot by Patrice Bergeron. Towards the closing of the 1st period, Minnesota’s forward Eric Staal was called for a tripping penalty that led to a Boston power play goal. Jake Debrusk would be credited with the goal after Bergeron’s shot deflected off his chest, making the score 3-0 at the end of the first period.
“I didn’t know if it was going to hit me in the face or I didn’t know what was going to happen. So I just kind of originally wanted to tip it and I was going to and I just saw it kind of coming near the crossbar I guess and I just kind of turned. To be honest, I don’t really know what I did, it just kind of went in. It was nice that one go in and obviously pretty shocked for sure.”
Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk
SOME QUICK NUMBERS
Heading in to the third period, the Bruins once again were on a power play. Patrice Bergeron would score off a Marchand pass that would end up hitting his skate. The 4-0 win marks Boston’s first shutout in 23 games against Minnesota. The Wild had previously won its last four road games. Goaltender Alex Stalock made 23 saves in net for Minnesota. Bruins defenseman John Moore had two assists, and now has four points in his last six games. Torey Krug also notched two assists for the night.
The Bruins’s record is now 25-14-4 as they hold on to the third spot in the Atlantic Division. They are now two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the loss last night, the Wild are holding on to the 2nd wild card slot in the Western Conference.
The Bruins will next host the Washington Capitals this Thursday with puck drop at 7:00 pm.