The Bruins took a major hit just ahead of the bye week, as Tuukka Rask exited Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers with a concussion after a scary collision with New York winger Filip Chytil with 1:28 remaining in the first period.
Rask, who remained down on the ice for a few minutes after the hit, was eventually helped off and exited the game. Jaroslav Halak will assume netminder duties for the remainder of the game.
Rask suffered the injury after Chytil rushed toward the crease, with the winger appearing to make contact with Charlie McAvoy before going airborne — slamming into Rask, who also knocked his head off the post before landing on the ice.
Filip Chytil collides with Tuukka Rask in the crease.
Rask leaves the game. pic.twitter.com/DusVYsokqm
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) January 20, 2019
Even with some time off this week, it’s a brutal blow for Rask and the Bruins, with Boston’s top netminder starting to hit his stride over the past month. In his previous seven outings dating back to Dec. 29, Rask is 6-0-1 with a shutout and a .942 save percentage.
For the time being, Halak will handle goalie duties for the B’s — a bit of a concern given Halak’s dip in play since a blistering start in October (.947 save percentage).
To add insult to injury, Chytil scored on the sequence, tying things up between the Bruins and Blueshirts at 1-1 going into the first intermission.
More updates to come...