Cassidy defends decision to go with Tuukka Rask in game 6 against Islanders

Even though the New York islanders have already played game one of the third round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there is still a lot of focus on round two against the Boston Bruins and a decision by coach Bruce Cassidy to continue playing goaltender Tuukka Rask even though he was clearly injured. At a news conference Monday, Cassidy defended that decision amid backlash from fans who feel newcomer Jeremy Swayman should have been given the nod.

Cassidy told reporters he had absolutely "no regrets" about sticking with Rask despite losing the sixth and final game 6-2. He added that coaches and medical staff had daily conversations with Rask about his status, while the Bruins on-ice leadership group also had some input on the final decision.

"We were never going to run out a player who wasn't fit to play," said Cassidy on Monday morning in his season-ending zoom with Boston Bruins reporters. "[Rask] regularly told us he was ready to go. In Game 5 going into the second period, I thought he didn't look as sharp. [Bruins goaltending coach] Bob [Essensa] talked to him, he said he was lacking some energy, so we said, 'We'll go with Swayman in the third, and then we'll sort out Game 6.'"

"He went through his routine, his maintenance. He didn't skate a lot between games, (but) he got the morning skate in and felt ready to go. And then it comes onto me. I have to make the final call on who gives us the best chance to win, and I choose Tuukka. So, no regrets on that. I feel he gave us the best chance to win."


"At the end of the day, Tuukka played so well against Washington that you didn't want to overthink yourself," Cassidy continued.

Rask admitted in his season wrap-up with reporters that he requires surgery for a torn labrum in his hip that will keep him out of action until around January of 2022. Rask becomes an unrestricted free agent in the offseason and, despite the fact that he insisted he doesn't want to play for any other NHL team, he indicated he did not know if he'd be back with the Bruins and even mentioned the possibility of finishing up his career in Europe.