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Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask ready to get back on ice

By Sam Minton

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Bobby Ryan #9 of the Ottawa Senators scores against Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins during overtime in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Bobby Ryan #9 of the Ottawa Senators scores against Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins during overtime in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 17, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has returned from his leave of absence and is itching to get back on the ice.

Boston Bruins fans were concerned when they heard that Tuukka Rask was taking a leave of absence from the team. We began to wonder what could possibly be going on? Thankfully Rask returned to the ice on Tuesday and is focused on doing his job.

The only information that we got from the team was that the leave of absence wasn’t due to an injury. There was plenty of speculation, but I don’t think we will ever know what happened.

No matter what happened, Rask said all the right things on Tuesday and seems determined to turn his season around.

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"“I have a job, and my job is to be a hockey goalie for the Boston Bruins. I also have another job title, and that’s a family man,” he continued. “This was a time when, deep inside my heart, I needed to take time to be with my family to make things right and be back here and focus on my job. That took three days and I’m back here, back to work and ready to battle with these guys."

Rask’s start to the season couldn’t have gone any worse. He has played in 8 games and has a 4-4 record with an awful 3.05 goals against average and a .901 save percentage.

At times we have seen Rask look like he belongs in Providence. He will give up goals that your local high school goalie could save, but then Rask will flash the leather and remind you why he was able to win a Vezina Trophy.

If Rask is able to make the easy saves he will be fine. He has seemed out of it early on in the season. Maybe this leave of absence had a role in that, but now Rask needs to improve. If he doesn’t he will be spending plenty of time on the bench.

Jaroslav Halak, the perceived back up goaltender is on fire. He is one of the best goaltenders in the entire NHL. Halak is playing like a guy who deserves the starting job.

So all of Boston is rooting for Tuukka. No matter how much Bruins fans may get on him, we want the goaltender to succeed.

Next. 3 reasons Bruins have chance to win Stanley Cup. dark

The Bruins play on Wednesday night in Colorado so we may see Tuukka Rask in net for Boston soon enough.

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