Tuukka Rask details the problems that led to the exit of the Toronto bubble

By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com

Bruins goalkeeper Tuukka Rask has already talked about what happened at home that led him out of the Toronto bubble and into the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2020 after just two games. At this point, we know that Rask’s daughter was dealing with an emergency and that Rask decided it was necessary for him to return home.

But when Rask’s first media session at the 2021 training camp Bruins came up with more questions about the details of the incident on Wednesday, Rask was happy to provide answers.

“I got a call the night before [Game 3] that our daughter was really not doing very well and they had to call an ambulance, “revealed Rask, who left after the club’s defeat in Game 2 to the Hurricanes in the first round.” So at that point, my mind is spinning and I’m like, ‘I need to get out of here.’ So, the next morning, I informed [Don Sweeney], we had a brief conversation and then I left. “

It’s that simple.

The problem, however, is that Sweeney did not make it clear that Rask’s family was dealing with an emergency. Maybe it was Sweeney doing his part to be a good general manager and not reveal much about Rask’s situation. Family of the family, and it’s nobody’s business except theirs.

Or maybe the whole situation just puts everyone in a dead end position.

“It all happened so fast, so I think [Sweeney] I was also taken by surprise, “said Rask.

Rask’s decision gave the keys to a deep playoff race for Jaroslav Halak, and the Bruins were eliminated eight games later, but the 33-year-old keeps the decision. Like any parent would do.

“It was a difficult decision to leave, but it wasn’t because I knew it was more important for me to be home at the time,” said Rask. “It was easy to live with that.”

Watching the games, however, was not so easy.

“You’re kind of stuck in this place where your brain is spinning, where you know you’re in the right place at home, but then again, you must be there to stop the discs,” said Rask.

But, as he did then, and as he does now, Rask had the support of his companions. He texted Halak during the postseason and had numerous conversations with teammates about life and more during the off-season.

Rask also said that returning to the Boston locker room was no problem.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, meanwhile, said he believed Rask was doing well now that his family was doing well.

“He feels good, practicing well and has been here for a long time training in the gym,” said Cassidy. “He’s ready to go. As I understand it, everything is great at home with your wife and daughters, so that’s the most important thing and it usually puts you in a good place to work.”

Rask, who is entering the last year of his contract, finished the season with a record of 26-8-6, 0.929 points of defense, the best in the league 2.12 goals against the average and a second place in the Trophy vote Vezina.