Spot on. There’s pressure and then there’s absolute clutch, do-or-die pressure that occurs only in the most pivotal moments. This Bruins group has for the most part thrived under general playoff pressure and have been a very capable postseason team. But their record in the toughest, series and Cup-defining moments has been pretty poor. G7 in 2011 and the miracle comeback against the Leafs in 2013 are obvious exceptions, but more often than not in the last decade the Bruins unfortunately let opportunities slip and couldn’t put opponents away in tight contests or crucial periods. That’s the difference between them having 1 Cup and 2 or 3, which this core has definitely been capable of.
In this regard Rask has been similar to the rest of the team. He’s an excellent playoff goalie, but his record in Game 7s and knockout games is just ok. He’s carried the team plenty of times, but he’s also had a couple of bad moments of his own, and while he bares almost no blame for this group’s shortcomings, he probably hasn’t really risen above them either - great under regular pressure, not quite so much when your back’s right to the wall and there may be no tomorrow. You can probably sum it up in the context of this era by saying that I’d want Rask as my starting goalie every day of the week through the grind of a day in, day out postseason. But if it’s a G7 or any other elimination game then you go with prime Tim Thomas all the way.
