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Less ‘running around’ has been key for Bruins

Dennis Seidenberg, Patric Hornqvist, b40

Dennis Seidenberg, Patric Hornqvist, \b40

AP

The Boston Bruins’ goals-against average has been doing a good impression of the Canadian dollar.

It’s been plummeting.

Last night’s shutout of the Penguins brought it down to 2.63. Still not among the NHL’s best -- the official rank is 18th -- but for Tuukka Rask, the improvement in front of him has been obvious.

“When we play our system it’s very helpful for a goalie,” Rask told reporters. “It’s so much more coordinated in our own zone now. Guys are not running around.”

Rask has also been better himself, according to coach Claude Julien.

“He’s been the goaltender we all know he can be,” said Julien. “That’s how we felt about him at the beginning (of the season) when he struggled.”

Rask has allowed just two goals in his last four starts. His save percentage has climbed to .917, creeping above the league average .916.

Granted, as a team, the Bruins still aren’t dominating games the way they did when they were considered among the NHL’s elite. They gave up 34 shots to the Penguins last night. They spent much of the game in their own end, especially after taking a 2-0 lead.

That being said, not all shots are created equal, and Rask has liked how the Bruins have been keeping their opponents mostly to the outside.

“They’re going to get shots,” he said. “It’s just a matter of what kind of shots they’re going to get.”

The Bruins’ next game is Friday in Pittsburgh.