Recent Injuries to Boston Bruins netminders Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin have created quite the drama between the pipes. Prospect Malcolm Subban got the nod on Tuesday night and was chased out of the crease in a decisive 5-0 win for Minnesota.
The Boston Bruins have had some pretty unlucky goaltenders lately. Tuukka Rask and backup goaltender Anton Khudobin are both sidelined with injuries.
These injuries have forced the Bruins to call up goalies from the AHL to fill their absences. The Bruins have called up Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre to serve as the club’s goaltenders until Rask and Khudobin can return.
Rask and Khudobin Sidelined
The Bruins put Rask on the shelf with an unknown injury earlier this week. Rask was sidelined after the Bruins matchup against the New Jersey Devils last Thursday. There is currently no estimate for Rask’s return.
Apr 2, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Anton Khudobin (35) Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The team looked to Khudobin to take the goal but were faced with a second problem. Khudobin sustained an upper body injury in the team’s practice on Tuesday; he is expected to be out for the next three weeks.
Without Rask and Khudobin in the lineup, the Bruins turned to the AHL to fill the goalie holes.
Bruins Turn to AHL
Boston Bruins recalled Subban and McIntyre to join the team and relieve some of the goaltender problems the team has had. Subban got the start in Boston’s Tuesday night matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
This game was Subban’s second career appearance in the NHL. Unfortunately, Subban was only able to block 13 of 16 shots and exited the net halfway through the game. McIntyre took Subban’s place in net.
Despite 27 shots on goal the Bruins were unable to get a goal on the board. McIntyre did what he could to keep the Wild’s goal count down but let in two of 17 shots. The game ended with the Bruins being shut out and the Wild taking two points in a 5-0 win.
The Bruins were unable to get themselves in the game. A need for defense to help the goaltender more often than usual and an inability to beat Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk set the team back.
Many could have been hoping for a better first game for the two young AHL goaltenders, neither Subban nor McIntyre have substantial NHL experience. This game was Subban’s second in the NHL, but McIntyre was yet to make his debut before Tuesday night.
The Boston Bruins Moving Forward
The Bruins aren’t in a very lucky position. Most NHL teams, without their top goaltenders, would crumble before finding solid standing.
The Bruins know that they are without Khudobin for another three weeks but are unsure of Rask’s return time. In the meantime, the team has to work on getting their current goaltenders ready to compete, despite their lack of experience.
The Bruins need to find a way to make this situation work if they want to find better footing. If Rask is sidelined for too long the Bruins might find themselves in too deep a hole. The Bruins will need to find a system that works to avoid a bad streak.
Boston’s next matchup is on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. This matchup might be particularly difficult if the Bruins cannot find confidence in their goaltending situation. The Rangers have been beating goaltenders lately and might have the upper hand if Boston isn’t confident.
Boston has until Wednesday at 8 p.m. to get some confidence back before they take the ice against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
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