Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask out at least two games with upper-body issue

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Mar 26, 2021 3:46 PM ET

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask returned to the crease Thursday against the New York Islanders after an extended absence due to an undisclosed injury. His return lasted just 20 minutes, though, with the 34-year-old knocked out of the contest after the first period due to another injury.

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy announced Friday that Rask will miss at least the next two games due to an upper-body injury, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin.

The Bruins play the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

Tuukka Rask out this weekend.

Cassidy: Cassidy: “Hopefully there’s [nothing] major there, but obviously something’s going on where he had to leave the game again with a similar injury the last time."
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) March 26, 2021

Rask is 8-4-2 this season with a 2.40 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.

Jaroslav Halak will likely play Saturday, with the potential for Daniel Vladar to start on Sunday. Halak has been solid in Rask's absence, posting a 7-4-3 record with a 2.25 GAA and .915 SV%.

Vladar, meanwhile, got his first NHL win against the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this month, stopping 34-of-35 shots in a 2-1 victory.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

More must-reads: