Tuukka Rask has been called a lot of things over the years.
Now you can add hustler to the list.
Two days off between Game 2 and Thursday’s Game 3 of the Bruins’ second-round series against the New York Islanders allowed for more talk about Rask’s physical health, especially after he looked a little wobbly on a couple goals he allowed in the overtime loss in Game 2 on Monday.
Heck, Rask had planted the seeds about his potential injury several times in the past couple weeks, including dodging a question about his health in a postgame press conference during the first round against Washington and acknowledging he was possibly nursing something during a local radio show.
But after Rask stopped 28 shots, including five in overtime, in a 2-1 win in Game 3, it’s obvious that whatever’s ailing Rask isn’t affecting him that much. If talk about him possibly being banged up gave the Islanders a false sense of hope, though, then Rask should continue to talk it up.
“It’s always good to have a little extra rest between the games I guess, no matter if you’re injured or not,” Rask said after the win Thursday gave Boston a 2-1 edge in the series. “I think the season has been very hectic overall. But you know, as far as my health goes, I guess as long I’m out there it’s good enough. That’s I guess the only thing I can say. But it didn’t hurt to have those two days.”
For about 55 minutes, it was Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov hogging the spotlight, despite the Bruins leading from 5:52 of the first period through 14:34 of the third. The New York netminder was zoned in and giving up none of his net. He made 38 saves on 39 shots before overtime.
Latest Bruins News
Whether He’s Hustling Islanders Or Not, Tuukka Rask Is Definitely Beating Them
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second Round Schedule
Bruins Must Make Sure Self-Inflicted Game 2 Loss Doesn’t Snowball
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Bruins’ Most Criticized Players Come Through In Game 5 Clincher
NHL Playoffs: Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals Game 5
Meanwhile, Rask was clearly in the Islanders’ heads. They were either looking for the perfect play to beat the potentially damaged goaltender or were just psyched out by the fact that he’d barely allowed more than a few non-tipped goals through seven games of these playoffs. When Anthony Beauvillier stared head-on at an open goal the size of the Charles River and decided to pass, you knew Rask had them where he wanted them.
However, the Islanders finally solved Rask — with a Mathew Barzal third-effort goal from about two inches out after the Bruins let the Islanders center off his leash. And then it was Boston’s puck-stopper’s turn to save the day.
Rask got the Bruins into overtime and then made Barzal and Jordan Eberle weep rather than celebrate with some great saves from in tight. The Bruins were using overtime to practice icing the puck (although that might’ve been their best strategy without Brandon Carlo in the lineup), and the Islanders were using the extra period for target practice.
How demoralizing it must’ve been when Brad Marchand’s seemingly harmless shot from the left wall eluded Varlamov for the game-winner. It must’ve been equally painful for the Islanders to know they might’ve lost to an injured goalie. Or is Rask just scamming them?
Regardless of the truth, right now he’s beating New York and has the Bruins halfway through to the NHL semifinals. The Islanders might be wise to block out any chatter that might be making its way to their dressing room and assume they’re facing “peak Rask” if they want to have a chance to even make this a long series.
The post Whether He’s Hustling Islanders Or Not, Tuukka Rask Is Definitely Beating Them appeared first on Full Press Hockey.
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
Ep. 48: Giants Lose to Eagles - Game Overby Full Press Coverage on January 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Host Ryan Cuneo reacts to the New York Giants' 38-7 loss to the […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep. 219 - Are the Surging 76ers the Title Favorites?by Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 10:25 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Cavs at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: UCLA at USCby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
Bulls at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 6:15 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Purdue at Michiganby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 6:15 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm