Is Tuukka The Real Deal?
It's Tuukka Time |
After 4 early games for the black and gold the B's stand atop the Eastern Conference at 3-0-1 (7pts). A key component of the B's early success has been the superb penalty kill and the man between the pipes, Tuukka Rask.
As of today, the Bruins have 12 Goals For and 8 Goals Against. If you average that out, that is 2 goals per game allowed and 3 goals scored per game. Not too shabby for the start of the season. Where they stand today is almost identical to where they stood at the end of last year, 3.3 goals scored per game, and 2.5 goals allowed per game.
Now, let's look at Tuukka's stats. So far this season he has saved 99 of 107 shot, a .925 save percentage. Compared to Tim Thomas' first 4 games last season, saving 110 of 118 shots, with a .932 save percentage.
Compared to last years first 4 games, the B's stand at 3-0-1, compared to 2-2-0 to last year.
The B's look like a strong team so far, and like always will have to rely on the back bone of defense and goal tending if they want to make a run for the cup. If Tuukka can play like he has early on, the B's will have a great chance of making a deep playoff run. The town is already forgetting about Tim Thomas, Tuukka appears to see that the spot light is on, and the B's know they have the talent to bring home lord Stanley.
The quest continues tomorrow as the B's travel down to North Carolina to take on the Hurricanes.