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Tuukka Rask opts out of the remainder of NHL playoffs |
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Just two days after strange post game comments following the Bruins Game 2 loss Thursday night, the Bruins have announced goalie Tuukka Rask has left the bubble, opting out of the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“To be honest with you, it doesn’t really feel like playoff hockey because there, there’s no fans. It’s kind of like you’re playing an exhibition game,” Rask said Thursday.
“Obviously, there are some scrums after the whistle. I haven’t noticed that they would be targeting me or what not. Things happen, people falling on you and what not. But it’s definitely not a playoff atmosphere.”
Bruins general manger Don Sweeney addressed the media Saturday morning supporting Rask’s decision.
“It's been increasingly difficult for Tuukka to mentally stay where he needs to be,” said Sweeney. “Ultimately he made a decision he had to be in a different place. I think we all understand these are trying times for everybody. His priority at this time is his family & we support that"
On NESN’s Bruins pregame show Saturday host Dale Arnold revealed that Rask had texted him to tell him he had to leave the bubble to tend to a “family emergency.”
Rask has a newborn and two other daughters at home. Arnold is currently working with Rask in the writing of a book.
More to come following today’s Game 3 contest...
What a strange day it was for the Bruins. But before I get to what was a big Bruins win in Game 3, I want to address the Rask situation some more.
Does this suck for the Bruins? Absolutely.
But at the end of the day family is first and obviously Rask feels whatever his situation at home is, it's more important than what's at stake inside the bubble.
I respect that.
Like Rask, I too have a newborn at home and I couldn't imagine going a day without seeing her, never mind weeks.
From a hockey standpoint, I don't think the Bruins cup chances take a major hit with Halak in net. Halak is the perfect backup for this situation and the Bruins will be just fine. As much as I do prefer Rask over Halak, if Rask's heart is not 100% in it, then the Bruins may actually be better off with Halak.
I think it's unfair to bash Rask in this situation.
Yes, I know how much he makes on a yearly basis. Yes, I know the timing of this decision is shitty, but no one knows the reasoning behind his decision.
Maybe he thought he could do this, being away from his family and after a few weeks in the bubble away from his wife and three daughters, things finally started to break for him.
At the end of the day, that's none of our business and not for us to judge.
Anyway, onto Game 3.
Without their number one goaltender and their leading scorer, the Bruins did exactly what they needed to do, grinding out a 3-1 win in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead into Monday's Game 4.
With the Bruins finding out about Rask's decision early Saturday morning, head coach Bruce Cassidy's message was simple.
"Well the message is we're not going to change the way we play no matter who's in net. We've proven that with Jaro [Halak] here for the last two years and now the playoffs. We know he's a capable goaltender," said Cassidy.
"The only issue for us is Jaro hasn’t played a lot so we want to make sure you allow him a reasonable time to get back into game mode. So that was a message. Jaro is a popular guy in the room, guys want to play for him, and the next part of that message is it's playoff hockey. We can't be worried about who's out of the lineup. We worry about who's in the lineup."
Just like everyone else, Halak was surprised by Rask's decision, but like the rest of his teammates, Rask has Halak's support.
"Obviously, we are here as one family. There are obviously more important things than hockey in life," said Halak who made 30 saves in the win. "He’s going to be at home, so I support his decision and I just want to step in and help the guys. I think they will do the same for me."
Halak was very good for the Bruins on Saturday, with the exception of a bit of mental block that led to Carolina's lone goal of the game.
"Mistakes, they happen. We try to make the right play out there and I saw an opening, I tried to shoot it out and you know, the guy caught it. It ended up in the net, but you know, we just – we were still up. I know I gave them a little bit of life, but I think we responded the right way," said Halak.
"And we kept playing our game until the end. You have to give credit to our guys, just stepping up. Guys coming into the lineup and playing hard. That’s playoff hockey."
With David Pastrnak once again out of the lineup, and Cassidy electing to go with Jack Studnicka and Par Lindholm over Karson Kuhlman and Nick Ritchie, the Bruins lineup looked a little different in Game 3.
Although he only had 7:18 of five-on-five ice time Saturday, Studnicka was impressive in his return to the Bruins lineup.
With Studnicka on the ice the Bruins held an advantage in shot attempts 18-8, shots on goal 8-4, scoring chances 11-3 and had an expected goals for percentage of 1.02%.
Centering Studnicka in Game 3 was Charlie Coyle who was impressed with what Studnicka brought to the line.
"Even going in, just talking to him early on, you can tell he’s got a quiet confidence in him for a young kid. And that’s huge, stepping into a playoff game as a guy of his nature. That says a lot, and he works. And that’s what we need from guys who are stepping in, filling certain roles. And he did that tonight. He was battling," said Coyle.
"The puck was on his stick a lot of times in the offensive zone, making things happen. That’s what we need from him. He’s got a lot of energy and he has those young legs and he was a big factor for us tonight. So, hats off to him for sure."
From not having David Pastrnak for the second straight game, being informed of Rask's decision shortly before hitting the ice Saturday, and having inexperienced players such as the 21-year old Studnicka in the lineup, if Cassidy had to use one word to describe how he was feeling about his team, proud would be a good one to choose.
"Yeah that's a good word proud because that's the first word I used after the game," said Cassidy "Proud of Jaro for answering the call on short notice, proud of the young guys that are playing, some of the like Lindholm and not that he's young, but it's you know first real [action]. Jack Studnicka, [Connor] Clifton comes into the lineup, proud of the way they responded and proud of the way the whole team played."
Much like Saturday was, the Bruins know Monday's Game 4 will present another unique challenge as the Hurricanes look to even the series up at two games each. But now the team's starting goalie, Halak believes all they need is everyone pulling the same rope.
"We found a way today, that's the bottom line. We have a hard group. We always try to find a way and that's the right example. "There are other guys that have to step up and maybe elevate their game. I think there are a few guys that did that. We need more," said Halak.
"Obviously, we need everybody in the locker room pulling the same rope. And again, it's going to be tough on Monday but I'm confident in our group."
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