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The Bruins and Tuukka Rask announced this afternoon that Rask will be skipping out on this month’s All-Star Game.
Rask will be replaced by Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Rask said he “had to be kind of selfish” and cited rest and family time as the reasons behind his decision:
Tuukka Rask said decision to skip NHL All-Star Game was a "selfish decision" to spent more time with his family and get rested for the second half of the season. Will serve suspension in Bruins' first game after All-Star break pic.twitter.com/hE2V6PlMbW
— Adam Kimelman (@NHLAdamK) January 13, 2020
As a result of his skipping out on the game, Rask will serve a one-game suspension in the Bruins’ first game after the break, the Ovechkin Rule. Helps to have a reliable back-up, eh?
Per tonight’s NESN broadcast, the Bruins fully support Rask bailing on the game, which is good to see. Obviously the team cares more about Rask being ready for the stretch run, and the one-game suspension won’t hurt them much.
It’s not hard to see why Rask would do this. You saw what he can do with some rest last spring, so why not take the time when you’re able to take it?
Good for Rask. Go somewhere tropical, get some sun, and come back refreshed for February.