The Boston Bruins goaltender was forced to miss Saturday's game against the New York Islanders with a lower-body injury, but after Monday's practice, in which he was a full participant, Rask said it felt good to get back on the ice, and he expects to remain in the lineup for the balance of the regular season in an attempt to help secure a playoff spot.
Rask confident he's good moving forward. When he was asked if he was worried that it will crop up again: "No I don't think so."
Backup Anton Khudobin came up big in the win over the Islanders, but expect Rask to get the majority - if not all - of the remaining seven starts as the Bruins look to nail down their first playoff appearance in three years.
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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Monday, March 27 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
LW Kevin Fiala (31K) & RW James Neal (54K), Predators (at Islanders): The Predators have a lot more depth then Islanders at both forward and defense. The second line of Fiala, C Calle Jarnkrok and Neal was one of two to play more than 20 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out, as the team does away with juggling trios. The trio has a Corsi For rating of 59.32 percent in over 43 minutes together at 5v5.
LW Jeff Skinner (55K) & RW Lee Stempniak (44K), Hurricanes (vs. Red Wings): The Red Wings play their second of a nearly unprecedented three games in a row. They're coming off a 3-2 victory Sunday, and now make the long journey from Minnesota to Carolina. The Skinner line was used for 25.82 percent of the 5v5 lines in the Hurricanes most recent game, and the trio averages 10.57 scoring chances per 60 minutes.
C Vincent Trocheck (50K) & RW Reilly Smith (38K), Panthers (at Sabres): The Trocheck line led the Panthers with 19.88 percent of the 5v5 minutes last time out and averages 54.57 percent of the on-ice shot attempts. Trocheck, Smith and LW Jussi Jokinen average just 6.76 scoring chances per 60 minutes, but the Sabres have allowed 10.93 chances per 60 since Feb. 27.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - James Reimer (104K), Panthers (at Sabres): The Sabres have averaged over 32 SOG per 60 minutes over the past month, but they've resulted in just 8.76 scoring chances and 2.46 expected goals per 60 minutes. Sabres C Jack Eichel has been among the league's best in 2017, but he has been the only consistent contributor to the offense.
BARGAIN - Pekka Rinne (90K), Predators (at Islanders): The Islanders have averaged just 7.94 scoring chances and 2.34 expected goals for per 60 minutes since Feb. 27. They do manage 29.11 shots on goal per 60 minutes, providing Rinne the opportunity for a reasonably high saves total with low-risk shots.
FADE - Jake Allen (129K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): Allen and the Blues are heavy favorites against the lowly Coyotes but the win bonus may not be enough for him to return value at a position-leading salary. Arizona has averaged 8.59 scoring chances per 60 minutes on just 29.53 SOG since Feb. 27. One or two goals allowed and it will be a lackluster fantasy performance by Allen.
CONTRARIAN - Brian Elliott (126K), Flames (vs. Avalanche): Much of the same applies to Elliott, as he'll face an Avalanche team averaging a league-low 25.42 SOG per 60 minutes over the last month. Elliott's recent form allows for a likely shutout bonus, as he owns a .943 save percentage with two shutouts over his past nine starts.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Bargain Plays
LW Zach Sanford (25K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): Sanford has topped 12:30 of ice time in each of his past three games, after two games below 10 minutes. He's expected to skate on the second with C Patrik Berglund and LW David Perron. A second-line opportunity will serve fantasy owners in such a favorable matchup.
RW Joshua Ho-Sang (27K), Islanders (vs. Predators): Ho-Sang has logged a total of 36 minutes in his past two games, playing at least 17:21 in each outing. He is being used on the second line at 5v5 with LW Andrew Ladd and C Anthony Beauvillier, while also seeing work on the point for the second power-play unit.
D Erik Johnson (29K), Avalanche (at Flames): Johnson logged 23:43 in his most recent game, marking his highest TOI total since returning from injury in late February. He's seeing work on only the second power play but his salary won't remain this low for long if his ice time continues to climb.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Top Fades
C Ryan Johansen (56K), Predators (at Islanders): Johansen is locked into the enviable position of the Predators' fist-line center, but he hasn't factored into the offense generated by LWs Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson with enough frequency to be worthy of this salary. He had two assists last time out, but he has no SOG over his past two games and no goals in his past five.
RW Vladimir Tarasenko (111K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): It's extremely difficult for a forward to return value on this high of a salary, even in such a nice matchup. Tarasenko, particularly, does not block enough shots or make enough hits to help compensate for any diminished offense performance. Fantasy owners are better off take a couple of his teammates at more reasonable salaries.
D Duncan Keith (47K), Blackhawks (at Lightning): The Lightning rank fourth in the league since Feb. 27 with just 2.19 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. Keith has just one goal in March and none over his past five games. He does have two assists during the goal-less drought and seven this month, but he has topped two SOG in just four games.
(Photo courtesy Action Images)
Contrarian Options
D Alex Pietrangelo (51K), Blues (vs. Coyotes): While teammate Colton Parayko starts a higher percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone, Pietrangelo still finishes his shifts in the opponents' send more frequently. He already has a five-year high in goals on the season, including two in his past four games.
LW Jonathan Drouin (62K), Lightning (vs. Blackhawks): Drouin went without a point in his most recent game, but he was previously on a streak with five points in three games. He has topped 18 minutes in each of his past three games. The Blackhawks are commonly avoided, but G Corey Crawford has a goals against average of 2.88 when on the road this season.
C Mikael Backlund (63K), Flames (vs. Avalanche): Backlund has racked up 32 SOG through 11 games this month, tallying three or more in all but four games. He has been operating at a low 6.3 shooting percentage, regression from his 17.9 rate last month. He topped 20 minutes of ice time in each of his past two games, providing plenty of opportunity against the lowly Avalanche.
Since NYR fans likely need something to cheer themselves up this a.m. here's Cam Fowler falling on his ass after being harpooned in the neck pic.twitter.com/e0UDj8BGTr
Cam Fowler is literally sticking his neck out for his team.
The Anaheim Ducks defenseman ran into the butt end of a teammate's stick during an attempted group hug following a goal scored on the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Brad Marchand's immense talent has always come with a caveat.
Marchand is energetic, but crosses the line into playing dirty. Marchand is an important player for Boston, but not a guy to carry the Bruins. Marchand is a good scorer, but that's really all he contributes.
Not anymore.
"He's improving every year," said defenseman Zdeno Chara, who has been teammates with Marchand throughout the 28-year-old's NHL career. "He's working hard and he's taking on some tough tasks and obviously he proved that he belongs to the top players in this league. He takes a lot of pride in his game and he's got a lot of emotions in his game and drive to be always kind of noticed on the ice, whether it's playing with the puck or without the puck.
"That's what makes him a really great competitor. He just loves to be out there and always competing and doing things for his team. He's had just an unbelievable year for us. Without his play, I think we'd be a different team. For sure, he's grown."
Marchand has 37 goals this season, tying the career high he set a year ago, and is five behind Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead. But while he also set a new career high in 2015-16 with 61 points, Marchand now is at 80 with seven games remaining - fourth in the league behind Connor McDavid (88), Crosby (82), and Patrick Kane (81) in the race for the Art Ross Trophy.
Between all the scoring and the importance Marchand has had to the Bruins, he's also in the Hart Trophy conversation. He would be the first Boston player to win the award since Phil Esposito in 1973-74.
Meanwhile, Marchand has pared down his penalty minutes from 95 and 90 the past two seasons to 64. He's still plenty capable of playing the agitator, but has turned a corner when it comes to responsibility.
"A lot of those were from frustration," Marchand said. "I've gotten away from that - tried to get away from it, and just play the game. That's where you help your team, is trying to be a better player than being in the box all the time."
The Bruins can't afford to have Marchand be a regular visitor to the penalty box. He's too important to what they do on the ice as a more than a point-a-game player - and with Boston clinging to an Eastern Conference wild-card spot entering the week, Marchand's ability to stay out of the box could mean the difference between a playoff berth and a spot in the draft lottery.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
As much as Marchand's discipline has improved, where he has really taken a step forward is on the power play, with eight goals and 13 assists. His previous bests in those categories were six and two.
"Brad's always had it in him and always wanted to do it," said Bruins interim coach Bruce Cassidy. "I think, having more reps in there, in front of the net on the power play, I think that's helped his confidence, helped him in those situations.
"Now he has a little more comfort in that area, where before it was more of an attacking mentality from the half-wall, now he's more on the goal line facing more of the players, so that's become an area where he's gotten comfortable. And sometimes you just have years where it clicks. Hopefully ... it continues and becomes a consistent part of his game. I don't see why it can't be."
With such performance comes responsibility, and Marchand has come to recognize that. He has embraced growing into a leadership role and that's important for the Bruins given that the 40-year-old Chara has only one season left on his contract. Marchand, David Backes, Patrice Bergeron, and David Krejci are the Bruins' core going forward, all signed through at least 2021 - with Marchand having the longest deal of the group, through 2025.
"It goes by quick," Marchand said. "I think I kind of woke up the last year or two, and realized that I'm getting up there, but when you see guys like Z and Bergy, and in the past like (Chris Kelly) and (Mark) Recchi, (Andrew) Ference, guys like that who have been really great leaders and did the job at showing the young guys how to play the right way, how to be a pro, you kind of learn that.
"I've been playing with Bergy so long, I like to watch him and what he does, and you see guys off the ice, how they train, how they prepare for each and every day - not just games, but practices - and all the mental state, and the way they're a pro. You learn that, and I've been fortunate to be around a lot of great leaders. They wear off on you. It's that time where I have to learn how to do that and be more like those guys."
Craig Anderson's difficult season is ending with some recognition.
The Ottawa Senators goaltender was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy by the Ottawa chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, the club announced Monday.
Every club's local chapter nominates one player for the award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Anderson has taken multiple leaves of absence this season to attend to his wife, Nicholle, who was diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer in October.
He took an extended leave in December to be with her while she underwent treatment, returning after the All-Star break with a memorable shutout victory.
Anderson became the Senators' all-time wins leader among goalies earlier this month, and he's 22-10-2 with a 2.32 GAA, .927 save percentage, and four shutouts in 2016-17.
Marc-Andre Fleury is the Penguins' Masterton Trophy nominee for the 2016-17 season, the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association announced Monday, and the qualities Fleury displayed in earning the nod may yet come in quite handy for the Penguins.
The Masterton Trophy is presented to a "player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey," with all 30 teams represented by a nominee.
In Fleury's case, the nomination is well earned.
At this point last year, Fleury was the Penguins' number one starter and de facto franchise goalie, having backstopped the team since being selected first overall at the 2003 NHL Draft.
A late-season injury, however, pressed rookie Matt Murray into action, and he ran with the opportunity all the way to a Stanley Cup win, despite Fleury's eventual return to health.
Fleury has subsequently taken a permanent back seat to Murray, and is a likely candidate to be moved in the offseason, either by trade or through the expansion draft.
In the meantime, he may be called upon with greater regularity down the stretch if recent trends continue.
Fleury has posted a record of 3-1-2 in March, with a .944 save percentage, while Murray, even before Sunday's lopsided loss to Philadelphia in which he allowed five goals, recently admitted he's not at the top of his game.
Matt Murray pretty hard on himself. Called his play lately "average" and "mediocre."
All things considered, the starting job remains Murray's as the postseason nears, but Fleury - who's accepted his new role with grace - may not have written the final chapter of his story with the Penguins quite yet.
theScore's new series, "The Noise," is published every Monday. It kicks off each week with a quick look at teams or players making headlines, good or bad.
No one's finer than Carolina
It may be a case of too little, too late, but the Carolina Hurricanes have taken the month of March by storm.
Since the calendar flipped, no team has earned more points than the Hurricanes (20), who've posted a record of 8-2-4. That's a single point more than St. Louis, Columbus, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Chicago - all set to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hurricanes have also scored an NHL-high 45 goals in that span, and Jeff Skinner is leading the charge. He's scored seven over his past five games, and his 10 goals in 13 appearances this month rank second league-wide behind Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov.
Despite all that, the Hurricanes remain five points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and have just a 9.5 percent chance of clinching a postseason berth, per Sports Club Stats.
One thing playing in Carolina's favor, however, is the nine games remaining on its schedule, the most of all teams in the running. The Hurricanes kick off a five-game week with two home games against Detroit, thanks to a make-up date after a matchup earlier this season was postponed due to poor ice conditions.
A sweep of the beatable Red Wings could greatly improve Carolina's chances of advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2009.
Sharks, Wild stumbling into postseason
Meanwhile, a pair of playoff teams out West are looking more like pretenders than contenders these days, namely the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild.
Here's a look at the bottom five teams around the league this month:
Team
Games
Record
Points
San Jose
13
5-8-0
10
Vancouver
13
4-7-2
10
Florida
12
4-7-1
9
Minnesota
14
3-10-1
7
Colorado
13
3-10-0
6
New Jersey
13
2-10-1
5
For squads with Cup aspirations, that's not the company you want to be keeping at this point in the regular season.
A couple of troubling things stand out.
For the Sharks, forward Logan Couture - who ranks third on the team in points - took a puck to the face and was hospitalized following Saturday's 7-2 loss to Nashville, San Jose's sixth L in a row. Losing Couture for any length of time would be calamitous.
And for the Wild, goaltender Devan Dubnyk has quickly fallen from the list of Vezina Trophy candidates, thanks to a record of 3-8-1 and an .898 save percentage in March. If he can't find his game, the Wild could be in line for a very early playoff exit.
Still, both clubs sit second in their respective divisions, and there are two weeks left in the season to rediscover at least some of what was working earlier on.
When the dog wants to play catch with the puck on the ice at Verizon Center, you play catch with the dog on the ice at Verizon Center. 🐶 pic.twitter.com/UWMZ75TVmE
The Washington Capitals hosted the Arizona Coyotes over the weekend, but the desert dogs weren't the only canines in the building Saturday night.
A very good boy played a game of fetch on the Verizon Center ice before the game.
The retriever shows impressive end-to-end speed, has excellent hockey IQ, and clearly has a nose for the puck.
Central Scouting might just have to adjust its rankings to include the four-legged companion, whose NHL comparables are clearly Aleksander Barkov and Jay Beagle.
