Bruins' Tuukka Rask: Draws Game 1 start

Rask is slated to start Wednesday's playoff opener against the Senators, Joe Haggerty of CSN New England reports.

Analysis:

As long as Rask remains healthy, confirmation of his playoff starting status figures to be a mere formality. In the regular season, Rask recorded a 37-20-5 record to go along with a 2.23 GAA, .915 save percentage and eight shutouts in 65 appearances. Supporting Rask's case as a first-round option in postseason formats is that he finished up strong down the stretch, logging a stellar .971 save percentage with two shutouts over his last six outings. Moreover, CSN New England relays that Rask has the second-highest save percentage (.936) among goalies with at least 10 playoff games played since 2013. From a matchup point of view, the Bruins approach Game 1 against Ottawa with a banged-up blue line that will welcome blue-chip prospect Charlie McAvoy to the fold, while the Sens averaged 2.51 goals for and 2.56 goals against per game in 2016-17.