Boston Bruins: Tuukka Rask injured in practice, extent of injury unknown

After the Boston Bruins goalie took a hit from forward Anders Bjork, the netminder was helped off of the ice at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday during practice.  And now, all of Boston Bruins nation holds their breath.

Man, sports can be so cruel. In what has been a whirlwind 24 hours that already saw star Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward suffer a gruesome ankle dislocation and fracture, Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has been taken out of practice after being bowled over by rookie Anders Bjork.

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As of 12:48pm on Wednesday, there is still no update on Rask. Even though he has been slow out of the gate, Tuukka has dealt with a young core still learning the ropes in front of the net. Any absence from #40 will be a huge blow, however, as the Finnish netminder is still one of the premier men between the pipes in the league.

Dialing the 401…

If Rask is going to miss time, either short term or long term, expect Zane McIntyre to be called up from the Providence Bruins to serve as the backup goaltender. McIntyre has looked great in the AHL, posting a 2.35 GAA with a 0.914 SV %. The team will surely miss Rask’s presence, however, as they are already playing sub .500 hockey at the moment. Expect Coach Bruce Cassidy to shake things up, just as he did today in calling up Kenny Agostino and Peter Cehlarik, who happen to be Providence’s top two point-getters.

Next: Bruins recall Agostino and Cehlarik

In the meantime…

Without Rask, the Bruins would likely start goalie Anton Khudobin. Khudobin has been a more than serviceable backup, posting a .950 SV %. Additionally, small sample size aside, he has a 1.52 GAA. While #40 will be missed, Khudobin has been the number one goaltender in the past for the Carolina Hurricanes.  The hopes of picking up what has been a less than satisfying season thus far may lie in the man below if Tuukka’s injury is serious.