Tuukka Rask Opts-Out of 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
Saturday morning, the Boston Bruins starting goaltender, Tuukka Rask, announced his decision to opt-out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The decision comes as a shock to the entire league, as it became the most noteworthy story in the hockey community Saturday morning. That being said, it's important to not speculate further into the decision and understand that, although hockey is a game that is taken very seriously, family is not a game and should come first.
The Bruins will look to Jaroslav Halak to take the team deep into the playoffs - something the 35-year-old backup has had experience doing before. Back in 2010, Halak had one of the most memorable goaltender experiences in recent history - taking the 8th-seed Montreal Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Final before being eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens success in the 2010 playoffs is always credited back to one man - Halak. It was 10-years-ago, and therefore it's not necessarily an expectation for Halak to tap-in to the performance he had when he was 25-years-old, but he is widely-considered on of the better backups in the National Hockey League, and Bruins fans should not overlook his capabilities to win important games.
In regards to Rask, we are wishing him and his family the best in a time where people need to be less critical, and more empathetic.
The Boston Bruins will look to rebound with a victory against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the first round Saturday at 12:00pm EST.