I have been encouraged to do this by people for some time now and finally was inspired to do it by an argument about the NHL with a good friend of mine. I like to think a know a good amount about the NHL and future NHL'ers so here is my attempt to inform you about this.
Moving on, let me tell you why the tandem of Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas makes for the best goaltending in the NHL.
Before you try and disagree let's look at a few of Boston's numbers.
Goals Against in 08-09: 190 (2.32 per game) 1st
Goals Against in 09-10: 191 (2.33 per game) 2nd
Goals Against in 10-11: 23* (1.92 per game) 1st
Save % in 08-09: .925 1st
Save % in 09-10: .922 T-1st
Save % in 10-11: .942* 1st
*13 games into the current season
In 09-10 Tim Thomas injured his hip and was not fully healed until he underwent surgery this offseason. Even with this hip injury he had a 2.56 GAA and .915 SV% in 43 games. Tuukka Rask was the workhorse for the season, with a 1.97 GAA and a .931 SV%.
The main reason Boston was able to beat Buffalo in last years playoffs was because of Tuukka Rask outplaying the Vezina winner Ryan Miller in net.
With the Vezina caliber Tim Thomas in net backed up by one of the best young goaltenders in the league, Boston has a goal tending duo that is tops in the league.
With this tandem in net and the key acquisitions of Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin providing goal scoring ability, Boston has a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.
