What to Know
- Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has been granted a leave of absence relating to a personal matter.
- “It’s not health related," General Manager Don Sweeney told the media Friday.
- Rask, 31, a native of Finland, has been having one of his worst seasons.
Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask returned to practice on Tuesday after a leave of absence due to a personal matter.
Rask was the first player on the ice for Tuesday's practice, according to multiple media reports.
The goaltender was granted a leave of absence on Friday and missed the team's games on Saturday and Sunday. The team won both games without him and are next scheduled to play on Wednesday night in Colorado.
Little has been said about the reasons for Rask's leave, although General Manager Don Sweeney did say it was not health related.
Rask did not start the last game he played on Thursday, but replaced starting goalie Jaroslav Halak after Halak allowed five goals on 19 shots. Rask went on to let in three goals on the first eight shots he faced, including a misplay of a clearing attempt that led to the Canucks' seventh goal.
"I was just trying to keep it under 10,'' Rask said sarcastically after the game. "Just trying to do damage control as it was kind of a crazy game."
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Rask, 31, a native of Finland, is having one of his worst seasons. In eight games, his record is 4-4 and his goals against average is 3.05, the highest since his first year in 2007-2008.
He won a Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 as the backup to Tim Thomas, and won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender in 2013. His salary for this year is $7 million.
