The Bruins are facing elimination on Wednesday. The big question going into Game 6 was who will be the starting goalie for the B’s. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy is going with the reliable Tuukka Rask for Game 6.
Rask was terrible on Monday for Game 5, giving up four goals on just 16 shots. Rask was pulled at the start of the third period because of him not being 100%, because of a groin issue that’s been bothering Rask since Game 2. That lead to a tough decision on who to start in net for Cassidy.
“He’s ready to go, so that’s it,” Cassidy said of Rask. “It’s that simple. He’s our starting goalie and he’s healthy and ready to go. Let’s hope he’s on tonight and we’re better in front of him than in Game 5.”
Cassidy faces such pressure with the decision, and he will face heat and blame from fans if Rask turns out to be the wrong decision. The majority of fans seem to want Swayman, but Cassidy is sticking to his trusty goaltender.
“I talked to him yesterday at the rink,” Cassiday later said. “He said he felt better coming out of that game than he did during it. Figured he was ready to go, so it’s his net. He woke up this morning, got his work in like everyone else.”
Jake Debrusk will get the start tonight because of an injured Curtis Lazar, who did not travel with the team for Game 6. Debrusk missed Game 5 due to poor performance. The Bruins look to play spoiler for Game 6 as it could be the final game to be played in the Nassau Coliseum if the Bruins win tonight and Game 7.
“We know that we’re fighting for our lives, we’re all excited for the challenge and the opportunity. We’re still here,” said Brad Marchand on the pivotal Game 6.