Bruins’ Tuukka Rask has perfect response to question on being big-game goalie

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask made 39 saves in a Game 6 shutout Monday night to propel his team past the Columbus Blue Jackets and into the Eastern Conference final.

He was Boston's best player in its second-round matchup versus Columbus, and the netminder's performance in the series-clincher was among the best in his playoff career.

Rask was asked in his postgame media scrum about being a big-game goaltender, and he gave a perfect response:

Rask, asked if he thinks it’s important to be known as a Big Game Goalie:

“Yeah, well. It’s better than sucking.”
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 7, 2019

He's not wrong.

Rask now has two series-clinching shutouts in his career, which is tied with Gerry Cheevers and Tim Thomas for the most such wins in Bruins playoff history. His 39 saves also are tied for the fourth-most in a series-clinching shutout since 1954-55.

The Bruins will be favored in their conference final series with the Carolina Hurricanes, and the advantage Rask gives Boston in net is among the reasons why.