Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask rips NHL's new overtime format
The Boston Bruins lost to the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-2, in overtime Thursday night, and exasperated Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask went off on the NHL's new 3-on-3 overtime format following the defeat.
The NHL first began using 3-on-3 overtime at the beginning of the season in place of its former 4-on-4 format in order to add more scoring opportunities and therefore cut down on shootouts. The new style is good news for fans and skaters with tired legs but, as Rask explained Thursday night, the format can also be a goaltender's worst nightmare.
Via NESN:
"I mean, I’ve had it with these 3-on-3 overtimes,” Rask said. “It’s just scoring chance after scoring chance.
"It’s usually just wide-open shots, breakaways or two-on-ones. And there are no wide-angle shots or point shots. It’s just scoring chances."
Rask is never shy about sharing his opinions with the media, and he has good reason to be especially sick of overtime at the moment; the Bruins have gone to OT in each of their last four games. Boston is 2-2 in that span.
The night was not a total loss for Rask and the Bruins, however, as Boston moved into first place in the Atlantic Division by earning a point in the standings for taking the game into extra time.
