NHL Notebook: Tuukka time in Boston?
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask makes a save on a shot from Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)
January 10th, 2022
Let’s recap some of the major NHL headlines from on and off the ice over the last week.
Rask re-signs with Bruins, return to ice looms
Former Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Tuukka Rask re-signed with the Boston Bruins on a tryout basis last Tuesday, but has been unable to get any work in at the AHL level due to COVID-related postponements for the Providence Bruins. This has raised the possibility that Rask – seeking to return from offseason hip surgery – might engage in a trial by fire at the NHL level this week.
Tuukka Rask on the desire to play with guys like Bergeron/Marchand again.
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) January 6, 2022
"That's why I never wanted to flirt with the opportunity to go anywhere else."
"You kind of feel that brotherhood and you don't want to leave guys on bad terms." pic.twitter.com/r3DEyx1F2D
“To be honest, I’m not sure when he’s going to play,” Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Saturday. “So right now I can’t give you the definitive plan. He’s practicing and we’ll try to get him in some game action wherever we can. He might have to start playing here and miss some assignments in Providence.”
Boston's next game is Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Rask, 34, has spent 14 seasons with the Bruins, and is the Original Six franchise’s leader in wins.
Blues beat Stars in Sunday shocker
The St. Louis Blues trailed the Dallas Stars 1-0 late in the third period on Sunday before going on the power play. After pulling the goalie to make it a 6-on-4, Ryan O’Reilly scored with 47 seconds left to tie things up at 1-1. Just 29 seconds later, Jordan Kyrou beat Dallas netminder Braden Holtby to cap off the incredible comeback.
TWO IN THE FINAL MINUTE. 😲 pic.twitter.com/BqjESvKnYC
— NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2022
The Blues – 4-1 since the season resumed – are now just one point behind the Nashville Predators for the Central Division lead. Their Stanley Cup odds have dipped slightly from +2200 to +2000 over the last two weeks.
Sharks terminate Kane contract, NHLPA files grievance
After placing him on waivers over the weekend, the San Jose Sharks terminated the contract of Evander Kane on Sunday due to an alleged breach of his contract, and for allegedly violating AHL COVID-19 protocols.
The NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of the embattled Kane, who is subject to forfeit the $22.8 million that remained on his seven-year pact. Dan Milstein – Kane’s agent – tweeted on Saturday that “The Sharks do not have sufficient grounds for taking this action.”
COVID forces postponements for Devils, Oilers
The Tampa Bay Lightning will not meet the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center this Monday night as scheduled, as the league postponed the game due to the Devils having seven players in COVID protocol. No make-up date has been announced yet.
The Ottawa Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers game was also postponed from Monday to Saturday, with eight Oilers players currently in COVID protocol.
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