Tuukka Rask Has Opted Out the Stanley Cup

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rusk is leaving the NHL bubble and opting out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rask announced leaving the playoffs two hours prior to Game 3. Rask was set to start in this morning’s game against the Carolina Hurricane. However, the defeat in Game 2 (3-2) was unnerving to Rask. Additionally, he noted not having fans in the audience was like “exhibition games.” 

 Rask released this statement on his Instagram. 

“I want to be with my teammates competing, but at this moment there are things more important than hockey in my life, and that’s being with my family,” Rask said. “I want to thank the Bruins and my teammates for their support and wish them success.”

Don Sweeney, Bruins general manager has publicly supported Rask’s decision to end his season. 

“We understand completely where Tuukka’s coming from,” Sweeney said. “I don’t think it’s any big surprise to us, to be honest with you. We’re privy to information maybe before the rest of the public is. This has been a difficult decision for Tuukka, but the Boston Bruins are in full support of why he made this decision.”

Rask and his wife, Jasmiina, have a newborn daughter and other two daughters. 

“All of our players, we knew this would be a mental challenge, especially the players with families,” Sweeney said. “In Tuukka’s case, he has a newborn at home, along with two other young girls and he just felt that he needed to be home with them at this particular time.