Rask says he's ready for the NHL (Providence Journal)

P-Bruins journal: Rask says he's ready for the NHL
05:14 PM EDT on Thursday, May 21, 2009

Special to the Journal

PROVIDENCE -- Tuukka Rask's verbal reflexes are every bit as sharp as the physical reflexes he displays when guarding the Providence Bruins' net.

After practice on Thursday morning, discussing his season, his outstanding playoff run and his future, Rask answered quickly and confidently when asked if he's ready for the NHL.

"I've felt ready for a long time. Everybody can think what they want, they've seen me play. I feel I'm ready,'' said Rask.

The Hershey Bears, the Bruins' opponent in Game Three of the Eastern Conference finals Friday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center, would probably agree.

Rask helped bail the Bruins out in Game One, making several tremendous saves in the final minutes and preserving a 3-2 victory.

In Game Two, Rask stopped the first 26 shots by the Bears before being beaten in the third period on a tip-in and then a centering pass that may have bounced in off a Providence defenseman. Hershey won, 2-1, but without Rask's 37 saves the game would not have been close.

The 22-year-old from Finland has been Providence's best player in the playoffs, leading them to series wins over Portland and Worcester so far.

After a stellar regular season, with 33 wins in 57 games -- tied for second in the league -- Rask has ramped up his game at the most important time of the season. He owns the best playoff stats in the AHL among goalies that are still playing -- a 1.76 goals-against average, .943 save percentage, and a 9-4 record.

Coach Rob Murray says that Rask's focus is sharper than ever, and Rask agrees.

"I'm trying to be reliable every night, consistent, that's what it's all about. Up in the NHL or in the AHL, you've got to be consistent. The better the players are, you better be, too. I've managed to do that this season maybe better than last year. I'm trying to keep it up the rest of the year,'' Rask said.

"Last year I had times when I really . . . wasn't trying in practice, and just playing the games. Once you get older you realize you can't just switch it on and off in practice and games. You have to practice hard and from there you can get the groove on in the game, too. That's something I've realized this year, you have to practice hard.''

Rask made a splash in the hockey world and beyond in February when he smashed his goalie stick and hurled a crate onto the ice after a referee's bad call cost the Bruins a shootout loss.

Asked about the meltdown -- which drew hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube -- Rask answers matter-of-factly: "Emotions are a part of the game. That happens sometimes, it's the AHL and you don't have video review, so it's kind of a tough thing to take, but it happens.''

Rask showed more maturity during the playoff series with Worcester when he kept his composure even while the Sharks were running at him, trying to knock him off his game. "I didn't let that get in my head, I battled through it,'' he said.

Rask got his feet wet in the NHL two years ago, playing four games in Boston and recording his first NHL win, in Toronto. This season, he played one game in Boston, and it was a beauty, a 1-0 shutout of the Rangers.

With the expected departure of Manny Fernandez via retirement or free agency, Rask appears to be a lock to step in as Tim Thomas's backup in Boston next season. AHL shooters won't be sorry to see him go.

*****

Jason Lawrence is in, Dan Ryder is out.

Ryder, the younger brother of Boston Bruin Michael Ryder, was released from his tryout contract. He scored one assist in eight playoff games, and one goal and five assists for six points in 20 games in the regular season.

Lawrence, a right wing who was the leading goal-scorer on Boston University's NCAA championship team this season with 25, joined the team this week on a tryout.

Murray said that Lawrence's agent, Jerry Buckley of Warwick, called to ask if the P-Bruins were interested in looking at Lawrence. Murray said that he was and after clearing it with Don Sweeney, Boston player personnel director, Lawrence was signed.

Murray said he coached Lawrence last summer in the Bridgewater, Mass., college league.

"I remembered him from there, and I kind of kept tabs on him'' during the college season, Murray said.

With Byron Bitz not able to play for the P-Bruins because of a rib injury, and the release of Ryder, Lawrence provides some insurance. "You can never be too safe,'' Murray said.

Lawrence, 22, is a native of Saugus, Mass. He is 5'10'', 185 pounds. Undrafted, he scored 46 goals in 158 career games at BU.

*****

Hershey and Providence both have two players in the top 10 in playoff scoring. The Bears' Alexandre Giroux (6-8-14 in 13 games) is fourth. The Bruins Martin St. Pierre (5-9-14 in 13 games) is fifth. Brad Marchand (6-7-13 in 13 games) is sixth. Hershey's Chris Bourque (2-11-13 in 13 games) is 10th.

*****

Special teams continue to be a strong point for Providence. The power play, which was 3-for-6 in Games One and Two, is second in the league at nearly 25 percent. The penalty kill is fourth. Hershey's power play, which is fifth in the league, was 1 for 12 in Games One and Two. The Bears' penalty kill is ninth in the AHL.

*****
Hershey's Quintin Laing was believed to be lost for the season in March when he suffered a lacerated spleen while playing for the Washington Capitals. But Laing traveled with the Bears from Pennsylvania and apparently has a shot at getting into the lineup.