Despite a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss yesterday to the Eastern Conference leading New York Rangers (64) at the TD Garden, the Boston Bruins (62) still picked-up a point to remain two behind the Atlantic Division kingpins, and are rolling a 6-3-1 (13 points) record for the new year.

The Black and Gold still lead the NHL in goals-per-game with an average of 3.51 per, and are second in the league in goals-against with a 2.02 goals-against average (St. Louis Blues 1.94).  And if the post-season were to start today, the B’s would be set to host the seventh-seeded New Jersey Devils.

So that leads me to think: If they were to begin the 2011-12 NHL playoffs today, who would the Bruins’ brass pick to start between the pipes?

A few of the notable starts for each respective B’s netminder, Tim Thomas was in the cage against the last-place Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-2 loss; the 13th place Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5-3 loss; and the 2-1 win against rivaled Montreal Canadiens (11th). No. 1a Tuukka Rask has faced the Rangers yesterday afternoon and the B’s 3-2 SO win against the third-place Florida Panthers.

By the numbers:

Rask last 5 starts:4-0-1, 1 SO, 9 goals-against, 143 saves, .941 save-percentage
Last 30 days: 8-1-1, 3 SO, 12 goals-against,.960 save-percentage

Thomas last 5 starts: 2-3-0, 13 goals-against, .914 save-percentage
Last 30 days: 4-4-0, 20 goals-against,.918 save-percentage

So, we ask you the fans….