The Bruins are having a little intrasquad competition between goaltenders. Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez will split time until a clear #1 goalie emerges. I contend, however, that a clear #1 emerged last season.
Thomas was selected for the All-Star Game last year. He was 4th in the NHL in save percentage at .921, with a solid 2.44 Goals Against Average. The Bruins already have their #1 goalie. I know it's a shame to waste Fernandez's cap number on a backup, but Thomas is clearly the superior goalie.
Fernandez showed signs of rust last night in Minnesota. He said himself:
"The first and second goal was a good example of what's missing in my game, the sharpness. Those are two goals that shouldn't go. There's no reason for that, regardless if I get a good look or not."
He has only played in 5 games the last year, so maybe he'll settle down. And perhaps the Bruins want to showcase him in order to trade him (or Thomas) and get some help somewhere else.
One place the Bruins don't seem to need much help with is the offense. Down 4-1, they turned this one into a game, getting within one goal with 1:38 still on the clock. Marc Savard had two goals. The last time the Assist Machine had two goals in a game was January 6th, 2006.
Winger Chuck Kobasew is out for an unknown amount of time due to a fractured ankle. He injured it on a dump-in play in Thursday night's season opener.
The Bruins have a few days off before going up to Montreal and playing the Canadiens Wednesday night.
Sources:
ESPN.com
NHL.com
Boston.com
Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Jim Mone
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