Boston Bruins won’t be able to count on All-Star goalkeeper Tuukka Rask for the rest of their Stanley Cup Playoffs run. Rask decided to opt-out despite playing four games so far, citing his wish to spend more time with his family.
“I want to be with my team competing, but at this moment there are things more important than hockey in my life, and that is being with my family,” Rask explained his decision. “I want to thank the Bruins and my teammates for their support and wish them the best.”
Rask struggled since the NHL resumed its season, going 1-3-0 with 2.57 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. This was a huge contrast to his regular-season numbers, which included 2.12 GAA and .929 SP.
After the news got out, Bruins’ head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters that he reached out to Rask but couldn’t confirm whether the 33-year-old is willing to reconsider his decision at later stages of the playoffs.
“As we said before, we support Tuukka, we wish him well, we want nothing but the best for him and his family,” said Cassidy. “Should circumstances change there where he feels he can come back to the club, then I think we’ll cross that bridge when we come and see what it involves.”
Rask was replaced on Boston’s goal by veteran Jaroslav Halak, who oversaw two wins in his two starts in the series against Carolina Hurricanes.
