Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask discusses the difficulties of playing with no fans. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Tuukka Rask: Playoffs feel like 'exhibition games' without fans

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Aug 14, 2020 9:00 AM ET

Tuukka Rask tends to receive a lot of criticism for whatever comments he makes following a poor performance, and the comments he made Thursday are no exception to that.

The Boston Bruins netminder discussed what he feels the atmosphere is like in Toronto without fans in attendance, and it likely wasn't what Bruins fans want to hear.

https://t.co/2NT3B10R9h https://t.co/dEqzwYf2AO
— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) August 14, 2020

Rask said the traditional playoff format helps build excitement and that fans play more of a crucial role than people think.

The 33-year-old stopped 23-of-26 shots in a 3-2 Game 2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, and it's evident that he's having major problems controlling the puck.

As a result, fans have called for Jaroslav Halak to be inserted into the lineup in place of Rask, though that's probably not going to happen for Game 3 on Saturday.

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

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