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BOSTON – For Johnny Boychuk and those on the Bruins side, this is nothing new. "Hes always in the zone," Boychuk stated, almost with a matter-of-fact tone ahead of Game 3 at TD Garden on Monday night. "Its not just right now. Hes always in the zone." But while hes managed brilliance at times in recent years in a secondary role, Tuukka Rask is performing at superlative heights in this 2013 post-season, his performance drawing suitable comparisons to Tim Thomas and his dominance en route to a Boston Stanley Cup in 2011. "Hes been incredible," said Brad Marchand of the Finnish keeper. "[But] its tough to really compare the two. Timmys obviously had a great career, won a Cup, a couple Vezinas so hes earned everything. Tuukka, hes coming in, hes playing great... hes the reason were here right now. Weve got to give him a ton of credit." Strictly by the numbers, Rask is actually scaling heights which supersede those of Thomas when the Bruins captured the Cup two years previous. The 28-year-old has registered a scintillating 1.73 goals-against-average and .944 save percentage through 18 games, besting the 1.98 goals-against-average and .940 save percentage Thomas tallied during his incredible Conn Smythe campaign. Lingering in the shadow of the American netminder, on a self-imposed sabbatical this year, since 2009-2010 – when he boasted a 1.97 goals-against-average and .931 save percentage – Rask has forcefully strode into the spotlight all by his lonesome this season, his first as the clubs defined number one netminder. Bruins coach Claude Julien believes the gradual process of acclimation into the starting role may have proved beneficial in the development of Rask. "In hindsight when you look back, it mightve been the best thing for him," said Julien. "It allowed him to mature at a reasonable rate, instead of being thrown to the wolves. Hes matured a lot. Im not talking about personality, but mentally, the mental toughness and then being able to be ready, game in and game out. This was his first year as a number one that he played consecutive games and I think he handled it well." In Game 2 at the Madhouse in Chicago on Saturday, Rask shouldered the woes of the Bruins slow start, turning aside all but one of a 19-shot barrage, his teammates rallying for a 2-1 overtime victory, knotting the series at one game apiece. "He saved us I dont know how many times," said Dennis Seidenberg. "You cant ask for more." Yielding 18 goals in a nail-biting seven-game conference quarterfinal series with Toronto, Rask has allowed just 17 markers in two-plus series since – a mere two in the Eastern Final with Pittsburgh – stopping 373 of the 390 shots hes faced for a .957 save percentage. Not quite the acrobat that Thomas was, Rask gets the job done quietly. "Timmy was really spectacular," Seidenberg continued, marking the differences between the two, "he jumped around from one corner to the other. But Tuukka is technically very sound, hes very square to the puck so it doesnt look as crazy as it wouldve been with Timmy. We know how good he is and how much hes helping us out." Chicagos lone goal in the second game this series required a crush of bodies in the immediate vicinity of Rask, the Bruins goaltender still sprawling back into position after a multitude of unlikely saves. Topping a performer of such superb caliber is not unfamiliar to the Blackhawks. In emerging with the Western Conference title, Chicago made Jonathan Quick, the Kings Conn Smythe winner in 2012, look reasonably ordinary, Quick posting a mediocre .897 save percentage in five games. "He seems to be making the first and second and sometimes the third save so youve just got to keep staying with it, stay on those loose pucks," Viktor Stalberg said of Rask, the Chicago winger re-entering the Blackhawks lineup for Game 3 after two games on the sideline. "I dont think theres going to be too many tap-tap goals out there. Its going to be shot and rebound or deflection or whatever it might be; thats the way to beat him." Joe Ethridge . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Shaun Bodiford .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. https://www.cheapnfljerseyschina.co/don-shy-jersey-for-sale/ . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Oscar McBride . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Jermaine Whitehead .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State is hoping that history doesnt repeat itself as it prepares to face another Heisman Trophy contender.The 12th-ranked Seminoles had one of their worst games of the Jimbo Fisher era in a thumping against Lamar Jackson and No. 5 Louisville. On Saturday, they face Deshaun Watson and third-ranked Clemson for the third time.You watch the consistency he plays with, he throws the deep ball, the short ball, can run, Fisher said of Watson. Hes a great competitor and always finds ways to make the plays.This will be the third time that Watson has faced the Seminoles. Two years ago he came off the bench and completed 19 of 28 for 266 yards along with a rushing touchdown. Last season he had 404 yards of total offense (297 passing, 107 rushing) as the Tigers beat FSU for the first time in four years.Compared to other Atlantic Division teams, the Seminoles (5-2, 2-2 ACC) have had better success against the Tigers (7-0, 4-0) and Watson. FSU is the only division foe to defeat Watson and the two touchdowns theyve given up to him is the least an Atlantic Division team has allowed against Watson.Florida States defense comes into the game a confident bunch. They held Miami and Wake Forest under 300 yards for the units best performances of the season. Though both of those teams featured conventional pocket quarterbacks.Watson brings back memories of the Seminoles nightmarish start.In FSUs first five games, it allowed an average of 35.4 points and 438.4 yards against mostly dual-threat quarterbacks. It allowed Jackson to compile 362 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in the 63-20 loss to the Cardinals on Sept. 17.Watson is also going into the game beaming with confidence. In three October games, he has completed 68.5 percent of his passes and is averaging 318 passing yards.But Watson said the Louisville game wasnt a good indicator of what he expects from Florida States defense.Each game is a different type of scheme and a different way they want to play, Watson said. Those guys are building their chemistry each and every week, again they trust in each other and theyre trying to get better and help their team win.dddddddddddd.Tigers co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is another who has noticed a difference from the Louisville game to now.I think they were doing a lot of things on defense early in the season, but you notice the last four games it looks like theyve kind of simplified and allowed their athletes to go out and play, he said.One major reason for Florida States improvement has been better communication among players, but they have continued to struggle when teams go no huddle.Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, who is tied for the national lead in interceptions with five, said the unit has done a better job of not missing assignments. However, that will be put to the test against Clemson.McFadden also said they need to get pressure on Watson. The Seminoles had a season-high five sacks in the Oct. 15 win over Wake, but has only had three in the previous two meetings against Watson.That sets up a critical matchup between Florida State defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who has 8.5 sacks, and Clemson left tackle Mitch Hyatt.Walker said that the Tigers offensive line does a good job with blocking schemes and that Hyatt should be a tough matchup because he has strong hands and good feet.If Walker and his teammates can force Watson into mistakes, the odds shift in their favor. The only problem is, Watson doesnt make many.Watson has committed only one turnover against Florida State but the Seminoles have done a good job this season of forcing turnovers. They have forced one in eight straight games dating back to last season and already have nine interceptions after having eight all of last year.Something will have to give on Saturday night.---AP Sportswriter Pete Iacobelli contributed to this report from Clemson, South Carolina.---Online:AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '