Boston Bruins G Tuukka Rask Exits Game After First Period

After stopping all six New York Islanders shots in the first period and helping his team to a 2-0 lead after one period, Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask did not come out for the second period and was replaced by Jaro Halak.

Tuukka Rask, who was playing in his first game since March 7, was not even on the bench as the backup to start the second period at TD Garden. The Bruins immediately tweeted that Rask would not return due to an upper-body injury.

UPDATE: Tuukka Rask (upper body) will not return to tonight's game. Jaroslav Halak is taking over in goal.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 26, 2021

The Bruins had a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Steven Kampfer and Karson Kuhlman.

In that game on March 7, a 1-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils, Rask left the ice for the extra skater crouched over and grabbing his lower back. He missed the last seven games but was on the team’s most recent road trip last week and was cleared to play on Thursday morning.

Tuukka Rask is 8-4-2 with a 2.46 goals-against average and .906 save percentage and was gunning for his 300th career victory Thursday. That milestone has eluded now for two games and if the Bruins – who were winning 2-1 in the second period when this was posted – hold on for the win, he won’t even be able to be on the ice to celebrate it with his teammates and the 2,300 fans at TD Garden tonight.

Boston Hockey Now will update you with whatever info we get on Rask during postgame media availability.