Tuukka Time in Beantown

When we found out that Tim Thomas was taking the year off, there was not much panic in Boston because of the young masked man they had behind Thomas, Tuukka Rask.

This especially rings true today. Rask has put on an absolutely masterful performance and has the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in three years thanks to him and his club sweeping the offensive juggernaut Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Sure, a lot of credit has to go to the team in front of him but no matter how you look at it, Rask might just be the main reason why the Bruins are four wins away from lifting hockey's Holy Grail. In 16 games this postseason, Rask is 12-4 with a 1.75 GAA (second in the league), a .943 save percentage (first in the league) and two shutouts, both of which came against the Penguins.

Rask may not have the flash that Thomas has/had but if you're the Bruins, you would not want it any other way. In these playoffs, Rask has played with an abundance of confidence, has done a terrific job of controlling rebounds and more than ever this postseason, has come up with the big saves when his team has needed it the most.

Unlike 2010, Rask was able to win a pivotal Game 7 in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs and also unlike 2010, Rask and his mates did not allow a 3-0 series lead to slip away against the New York Rangers in the second round and most recently against the Penguins in the Conference Finals. Rask has been as solid as a rock in these playoffs for his hockey club.

In the Conference Finals, Rask allowed just two goals to a team that has the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Pascal Dupuis, Jarome Iginla, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang, etc. In all, Rask stopped 134 of 136 Penguins' shots and is the main reason why the Bruins now get to play for the Cup.

If you have been following the Bruins or are a fan of NHL goaltenders, Rask's play between the pipes should not come as a surprise. He is one of the best goaltenders in the game and has put up consistent stats since joining the league full-time in the 2009-10 season.

At just 26 years of age, Rask has an extremely bright future in the league and not only that, the vision of  winning the Cup is clearer than ever.

**This is also on the NHL Network Radio Blog, which you can go to by clicking here**