Boston Bruins

After heading to overtime for the third game in a row, the Boston Bruins are the leaders in their first-round playoff series with the Washington Capitals, defeating East Division runner-ups for the second consecutive game to take a 2-1 advantage. 

Boston won 3-2 on home ice on Wednesday thanks to a double-overtime winner from Craig Smith. 

CRAIG SMITH ENDS IT IN DOUBLE OT 🚨

The @NHLBruins take a 2-1 series lead! #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/mAWiTniCYV

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 20, 2021

For the Capitals, who are trailing in the series after winning the first game in overtime, Alex Ovechkin and Nic Dowd both scored.

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Notable Performers

• Craig Smith, Bruins: 1 goal, 1 assists, +2, 4 SOG
• Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: 1 goal, 4 SOG
• Taylor Hall, Bruins: 1 goal, +2, 2 SOG
• Tuukka Rask, Bruins: 35-of-37 saves
• Ilya Samsonov, Capitals: 40-of-43 saves

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Taylor Hall Handles Early Issues for Bruins 

The Bruins had the shot advantage in the first period, putting 10 pucks on net compared to just four from Washington. But the Washington offense that was so relentless earlier games came back in the second period, scoring first with an Alex Ovechkin point with 8:21 gone. 

Less than a minute later, Taylor Hall was the savior yet again for Boston, scoring the equalizer a game after he forced overtime. 

Taylor Hall likes it in Boston. 🚨#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/VvUJTbhmvh

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 19, 2021

Hearing reports that Bruins fans love Taylor Hall. Working to confirm

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) May 19, 2021

The Bruins had the advantage in the first period, when they found themselves on either side of the power play on three separate occasions but continued to dominate no matter how many men were on the ice.

There was only 8:43 played at 5-on-5 in the first, but shot attempts were 8-2 Bruins during that time. https://t.co/TZFIpN1pgV

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) May 19, 2021

Each team went 0-for-3 on the power play in the first period.

Bruins had 6 shots on goal on the PP.

Capitals had 2 shots on goal on the PP.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 19, 2021

But they slugged through the second, when they found themselves shorthanded twice.. They were outshot 16-11 in the frame, allowing the Capitals to go up initially on a power play goal. 

The separation in the third was even more notable: 

Capitals outshot Bruins, 8-0, at 5 on 5 in the third.

— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 20, 2021

In the first overtime period, the Bruins outshot Washington 17-5 but couldn't capitalize. 

Even at full strength, a lack of aggression seemed to be at the heart of the trouble for the Bruins after a fast first. 

Both Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak looked like they didn't want to get hit on that play that led to the Capitals goal. Tough to beat Washington playing that way

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) May 20, 2021

The Bruins got back on the power play on two separate instances early in the third, and they finally capitalized on the second to tie it up thanks to Brad Marchand.

63 with the equalizer.#NHLBruins | @Bmarch63 pic.twitter.com/65jJXTk5mH

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 20, 2021

But Boston has struggled with their power play throughout the series, having entered Wednesday scoring one goal through six chances.

Failing to convert four more against a third-string goaltender in Game 3 was a mark of the struggle for a team that finished the regular season with the No. 10 power play percentage in the league at 21.9 percent. 

With Hall proving himself to be a major trade deadline pickup, it might be time for the Bruins to try him out on the top power play unit and see if it will make a difference in must-score moments. 

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Samsonov Stands Strong for Washington

Capitals backup goaltender Craig Anderson starred in Game 1, making 21 saves after starter Vitek Vanecek suffered a lower-body injury. After he allowed two quick goals in Game 2, he settled in, making 44 saves en route to a 4-3 overtime loss. But he didn't start in Game 3, with Washington looking to Ilya Samsonov to keep them from going down in the series.

It was certainly a unique decision when you're contending for dominance in a playoff series.

Ilya Samsonov, not Craig Anderson, led the Capitals out for warmups. Samsonov has a .860 career SV% in three games against the Bruins. He also has zero playoff experience. pic.twitter.com/1FndsMxrGb

— Nicholas W. Goss (@NickGossNBCSB) May 19, 2021

What Samsonov is doing tonight might be harder than what Anderson did in Game 1.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 19, 2021

Anderson was out due to body maintenance, per Samantha Pell of the Washington Post. Center Lars Eller, who was tabbed with an assist in Game 2, was also out with a lower-body injury. 

He kept the Capitals out of trouble in the first period, making 10 saves and surviving a five-on-three situation, though he had some help from his defense. 

every inch counts! pic.twitter.com/llayYqrs4m

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 19, 2021

🚫SH pic.twitter.com/3F3CuHZQM6

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 19, 2021

Boston managed to get the best of him right after hope momentarily left TD Garden as Ovechkin found the net.

THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN! pic.twitter.com/ng5eHrH7Tz

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 19, 2021

Garnet Hathaway had his day in Game 2, when he had a pair of goals, but Game 3's hero (briefly) was his linemate, Nic Dowd, who deflected the go-ahead late in the second period. 

You simply cannot find a hotter line pic.twitter.com/69lYpPkSFG

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 20, 2021

The depth from that fourth line has been part of the difference that has helped the Capitals succeed even with three different netminders through as many games. 

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What's Next? 

Game 4 is in Boston on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET. 

Taylor Hall's first postseason appearance might have felt magical to those in New Jersey, but the magic disappeared as soon as the puck dropped in Tampa. 

Three years ago, the New Jersey Devils broke a five-year drought to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs, and it was largely based on Hall's unreal efforts during his MVP season. 

The Devils returned to the Prudential Center down 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first-round series. Fans of the historic franchise knew nothing but winning for years before the playoff-less streak, and they were primed for a victory. 

Actor Patrick Warburton reprised Seinfeld character David Puddy, Elaine Benes' boyfriend and Devils superfan, flying in from Los Angeles in full face paint. 

The Devils needed a hero, and they got one in Hall, who scored a goal and assisted on two others to keep New Jersey in the series in a 5-2 win. 

It's been anything but magical for Hall since then. A knee injury, a trade to the Arizona Coyotes, a disastrous stint with the Buffalo Sabres and then another trade, the third one for the top pick in the 2010 NHL draft. 

But this trade seems to have allowed Hall to finally capture some of that playoff magic that has generally eluded him. Now with the Boston Bruins, Hall has silenced the doubters who hinted he was a drag on team culter and proved to those who said he'd lost his touch that he can absolutely make an impact. 

That was obvious Monday night in Boston's 4-3 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. Hall scored a greasy goal to tie the game with 2:49 to play in regulation, displaying his will and showing he is still the same Hall he was in 2018.

"He's been really invested since he's been here," coach Bruce Cassidy said in his postgame Zoom press conference. "I think he just wanted to do really well right away, and that's a good mindset to have, but there is a lot of hockey left and a lot of teammates to remind him, Listen, just keep playing, and when it's your turn, you'll make the right play. And sure enough, he did."

The play that he made could be what sets Boston apart. Instead of going back to Massachusetts down 2-0, the series is even at 1-1. It's a much more favorable position to be in, and Hall knows that all too well. 

It started with a strong zone entry by Hall, as he beat Washington defenseman John Carlson to the net and threw the puck at goalie Craig Anderson, who up until that point had been the story of the game. But he hung around Anderson's crease as the Bruins caught up to him, and Hall kept whacking at the puck until he got it through.

"I thought as the game wore on, the score might not have reflected it, but we really found our game," Hall said. "By the third period—their goal excluded—I thought we really had it. We had a lot of action at the net, a lot of shots there. And we're going to have to continue doing that." 

Cassidy credited top-line forward Brad Marchand for "dragging the team into the fight," but Hall was ready for that fight. He's been ready for it since Boston acquired him at the deadline in April for Anders Bjork and a second-round pick. He used a no-movement clause to engineer a trade to the team that he once thought might draft him, seeing a star-laden lineup that he thought he could add to. 

Hall appeared humbled after his journey from MVP to afterthought. In his introductory press conference, he said he didn't want to be the focal point anymore, he just wanted to be able to contribute. He spoke about how the Sabres' confidence became shaky amid a rough season, but he knows winning fixes that. 

Hallsy sends it to OT.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/cfAgHlsDYb

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 18, 2021

The 29-year-old has speed, a lethal shot and the playmaking ability to drive his own line, but with David Krejci and Craig Smith on his line, he doesn't need to do everything by himself anymore. The results were immediate: Hall scored eight goals and assisted on six for 14 points in 16 games after the trade. 

"It's been 16 games, and it's probably been some of the most enjoyable hockey I've ever played in my career," he told reporters before the postseason started. "I hope there's more to come."

With Hall, the Bruins have an elite five-on-five offense, and they are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. This is what he wanted and what he knew he could accomplish on the right team. 

"I still think I have another level to get to, personally," he said after the latest win. "But as a team, we came together and won a game and that's all you can ask for."

The leadership group in Boston has been influential for Hall. During that 2018 season in New Jersey, the team had veteran glue guys like Brian Boyle, Ben Lovejoy, Travis Zajac and Andy Greene, but Hall was the premier skill player. Having a group of elite skill players like Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak to set the tone of the locker room is a completely different experience. 

"You're always laughing and having fun (in every locker room), but we've got some Hall of Famers in here; that probably makes it a little bit easier to enjoy and be yourself," he said. 

Hall went to Boston eager to make an impact in just his third postseason. His presence wasn't quite as strong in the first game of this first-round series, but his determination paid off in the second contest. He drew a penalty, led the team with 11 shot attempts and seven shots on goal, and his speed was difficult to contain in the neutral zone.

Hall had five scoring chances and five high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick.

"You have a great start to your Bruins career and then the other night it didn't really happen, so you want to make a difference," Cassidy said. "I love guys like that who want to make a difference. They're not going out there and being reckless, they're playing for the team. Yeah, he did have a penalty there, but he did chip by a chase. He didn't try to toe-drag the guy; it was unfortunate. And he bounced back."

Hall is a better player with the Bruins, and the Bruins are better with Hall. The magic may have finally returned. 

The Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers are the latest teams the clinch a berth in the 2021 NHL playoffs with their victories on Monday night.

Who will write the next chapter?

The #NHLBruins are heading to the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs!!! pic.twitter.com/N7DyCZl1zV

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 4, 2021

Boston scored a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on the strength of a 20-save shutout from Tuukka Rask to claim a berth in the East Division, while Connor McDavid continued his torrid scoring pace with four points in a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks to put the Oilers in the North Division field.

We're in. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/0ZYDZkkSR6

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 4, 2021

The East is the first division to complete its four-team playoff group with the Bruins joining the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders.

Edmonton and the Toronto Maple Leafs have claimed spots out of the North. Four teams remain active in the pursuit of the final two bids.

• Winnipeg Jets (57 points in 51 games)

• Montreal Canadiens (57 in 51)

• Calgary Flames (47 in 50)

• Vancouver Canucks (41 in 46)

In the Central division, the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning are in. The last berth is a two-team race:

• Nashville Predators (60 in 53)

• Dallas Stars (56 in 52)

There's also one more spot available in the West alongside the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild. Three teams are involved in that battle:

• St. Louis Blues (55 in 50)

• Arizona Coyotes (50 in 53)

• Los Angeles Kings (46 in 50)

The NHL playoff format was changed this season because of schedule alterations made amid the coronavirus pandemic. Each of the four restructured divisions will play postseason series against each other across two rounds to crown a division champion, who will advance to the final four.

Teams will be reseeded by regular-season points ahead of the semifinals and the winners will then face off in the Stanley Cup Final.

The playoffs will start sometime in late May with the final regular-season contest set for May 19.

The Boston Bruins are loading up for the stretch run of the 2020-21 season.

First, the Ottawa Senators announced they traded defenseman Mike Reilly to the Bruins for a 2022 third-round draft pick. Then, Elliotte Friedman and Darren Dreger of TSN reported the Bruins acquired forwards Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from the Buffalo Sabres for a second-round draft pick and forward Anders Bjork.

That's certainly one way to react to Sunday's 8-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Here is a look at how the lines could unfold following the moves, per NBC Sports. It should be noted that currently injured players are not included on the list and could clearly change the lineup once they return.

• Line 1: Taylor Hall (LW), Patrice Bergeron (C), Jake DeBrusk (RW)

• Line 2: Brad Marchand (LW), David Krejci (C), Craig Smith (RW)

• Line 3: Nick Ritchie (LW), Charlie Coyle (C), Jack Studnicka (RW)

• Line 4: Chris Wagner (W), Greg McKegg (C), David Pastrnak (W)

• Defensemen Pairing 1: Mike Reilly, Jeremy Lauzon

• Defensemen Pairing 2: Kevan Miller, Jarred Tinordi

• Defensemen Pairing 3: Connor Clifton, Jakub Zboril

The Reilly trade doesn't look like a massive move on paper, but it comes at an ideal time for the Bruins. 

Charlie McAvoy, Matt Grzelcyk and Brandon Carlo are all sidelined, not to mention goaltenders Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak. The defense was brutal against the Capitals, so adding veteran depth to the blue line could be key as Boston looks to shore up its playoff position.

Reilly also has a career-best 19 points through 40 games this season, underscoring his ability to impact the game on both ends of the ice while being involved as a playmaker who continues to cycle the puck while on the attack.

Yet it is Hall who stands out the most.

After all, the two-time All-Star and 2017-18 Hart Memorial Trophy winner is one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league when playing at his best. He isn't that far removed from finishing his MVP season with 93 points on 39 goals and 54 assists and will now be surrounded by plenty of talent.

The Bruis may ultimately keep Brad Marchand paired with Patrice Bergeron because of familiarity and shared success, but Hall is talented enough to make an impact on any of Boston's lines.

Playing for a contender could help Hall find his form again after he posted 19 points in 37 games for a struggling Sabres club.

Boston is in something of a precarious situation with 48 points, which is good enough for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East Division. The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers both have 44 points, meaning the Bruins are closer to missing the postseason entirely than they are the first-place Capitals and New York Islanders (58 points).

Sunday's flurry of moves should help them reach the playoffs, where their additional firepower should be plenty dangerous, especially if they're healthy.

The Buffalo Sabres traded star forward Taylor Hall to the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

#NHLBruins acquire Taylor Hall and Curtis Lazar from @BuffaloSabres in exchange for Anders Bjork and 2021 2nd-round pick

Details: https://t.co/16q9uxhdB0 pic.twitter.com/fzcgg3NYRy

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 12, 2021

#NHLBruins W Taylor Hall says he was close to signing with the B's last offseason.

"I was ready to be a Bruin and some other things didn't work out. Once I knew I was ready to be traded, Boston was No. 1 on the teams I wanted to go to."

Thanked #LetsGoBuffalo GM Kevyn Adams

— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) April 12, 2021

Hall: “I’d love to be a Bruin for a few years.”

— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) April 12, 2021

Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the news Sunday.

The 2018 Hart Trophy winner has struggled for form since agreeing to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Sabres last offseason, posting two goals and 17 assists in 37 games before Buffalo was able to find a suitable offer for him.

Things have gone terribly for the Sabres in 2020-21. Captain Jack Eichel has played just 21 games this year beecause of injury, the club was prohibited from team activities for seven days following a COVID-19 outbreak in February and head coach Ralph Krueger was fired 12 games into an 18-game winless streak.

It was during that streak Hall told reporters he would be willing to waive his no-movement clause. The Sabres began holding the 29-year-old out of games a week before the trade deadline to ensure their top asset didn't get injured, increasing the likelihood the former No. 1 overall pick wouldn't finish the year in Buffalo.

The Canadian will now join his fourth team in three years, and his fifth franchise since entering the league, following stints with the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes.

Joining a contender should help Hall rediscover his scoring touch, and having some more talent around him certainly won't hurt. The one-year experiment with the Sabres may not have worked out, but he still has plenty to offer in the NHL.

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy announced left winger Brad Marchand will miss Saturday's game against the Buffalo Sabres since he was placed on the NHL's COVID-19 protocol list.

Trent Frederic was elevated to the Bruins' top line to replace Marchand, while forwards Jack Studnicka and Zach Senyshyn were added to the lineup.

Marchand has established himself as one of the NHL's best offensive players over the past five years. His 391 points (149 goals, 242 assists) since the start of the 2016-17 season rank fifth over that span, per Quant Hockey.

The 32-year-old Canadian has tallied 12 goals and 22 assists across 29 appearances this season.

Frederic has earned praise throughout the campaign by embracing a defense-first, high-energy role in the bottom six. Marchand applauded his efforts early this month:

"He's been doing a great job. He definitely brings energy to the group and we feed off of what he's bringing [with] his physicality. And when he's strong on pucks in the corner, it creates energy for the group. We need him to keep doing that. He's a talkative kid, which is always great in the room and on the bench, and we can feed off of. I really liked his game so far this year and continue to grow."

Now Frederic will get a chance to spotlight the offensive side of his game while playing alongside Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak for at least one contest.

Boston heads into Saturday's clash with Buffalo with 37 points (16-8-5 record), which rank fourth in the East Division. It's three points clear of the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers for the division's final playoff berth, and the B's also have three games in hand over those teams.

Meanwhile, the Sabres (6-22-4) are riding a 16-game losing streak and traded veteran center Eric Staal to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday as their perpetual rebuilding effort continues.

Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston.

The Boston Bruins announced Tuesday that they will retire Willie O'Ree's No. 22 on Feb. 18, making him the 12th player in team history to have his jersey number retired.

On Feb. 18, Willie O'Ree's No. 22 will become the 12th number honored by the #NHLBruins:

2--Eddie Shore
3--Lionel Hitchman
4--Bobby Orr
5--'Dit' Clapper
7--Phil Esposito
8--Cam Neely
9--Johnny Bucyk
15--Milt Schmidt
16--Rick Middleton
24--Terry O'Reilly
77--Ray Bourque pic.twitter.com/SVUHeIExEp

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 12, 2021

O'Ree, 85, is best known for making NHL history during the 1957-58 season when he became the first Black player to play in an NHL game.

All told, O'Ree appeared in 45 career NHL games with the Bruins over the course of two seasons, registering four goals and 10 assists.

While the Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, native's NHL career was brief, he made a massive impact during a short time and paved the way for future Black NHL stars such as Jarome Iginla, Dustin Byfuglien, Evander Kane and P.K. Subban.

After his time with the Bruins was over, O'Ree enjoyed a great deal of success in the Western Hockey League, which was a professional league that ran from 1952 until 1974.

In 13 WHL seasons with the Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls, O'Ree appeared in 785 games and registered 328 goals and 311 assists for 639 points.

O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of the builder category, which contains people who helped the sport's development. O'Ree is a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as well.

The NHL has also established an award in O'Ree's honor called the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which has been given out since 2018 to "recognize the individual who has worked to make a positive impact on his or her community, culture or society to make people better through hockey."

The retiring of O'Ree's No. 22 this season will go down as one of the biggest honors of his career and put him on par with many of the greatest players to ever wear the black-and-yellow "B."

While the COVID-19 pandemic means it is possible no fans will be in attendance when the Bruins retire O'Ree's number before their Feb. 18 game against the New Jersey Devils, it will be a celebrated event nonetheless.

Free agent Zdeno Chara is joining the Washington Capitals on a one-year, $795,000 deal, ending a 14-year stint with the Boston Bruins during which the defenseman served as team captain.

OFFICIAL! BIG Z TO DC!

The Washington Capitals have agreed to terms with defenseman Zdeno Chara to a one-year, $795,000 contract.

Full Details: https://t.co/1Pqb61mP5q#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Ad50bX7LvA

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 30, 2020

Looking forward to not doing this anymore! At least not in games... Welcome to DC Big Z!!! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/RqhuGIfl6M

— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) December 30, 2020

Ken Campbell of the Hockey News first reported the signing Wednesday.

Shortly before the deal became official, the 43-year-old posted a farewell message to Boston on his Instagram page. 

"Recently, The Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players and I respect their decision," Chara wrote. "Unfortunately, my time as the proud Captain of the Bruins has come to an end."

Nearly two-thirds of the #NHL (20 teams) recently checked in with Zeno Chara’s agent on Big Z’s availability.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 30, 2020

Chara's agent, Matt Keator:

"It was a long and hard process for him, managing his family, legacy, what his role would be on the team. The Bruins were great. They were communicative throughout. Don Sweeney handled it very well. He was clear and concise. There was no gray area."

— Matt Porter (@mattyports) December 30, 2020

Chara had the longest active captaincy in the league before the move.

Selected in the third round of the 1996 draft, Chara played his first four seasons with the New York Islanders before the Ottawa Senators acquired him during the 2001 draft. After four years with the Sens, Chara found a permanent home in Boston, where he signed a five-year, $37.5 million deal and was immediately named captain. 

That paid off as the Bruins went on a seven-year postseason streak in the Eastern Conference—beginning in his second year with the team—capturing the 2011 Stanley Cup and returning to the final in 2013. That made him just second European-born player to captain a Cup-winning team after Nicklas Lidstrom accomplished the feat with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. 

Just talked to Torey Krug about Zdeno Chara and the imprint he had on the Bruins. Both Krug and McAvoy have found his impact tough to put into words this week.

— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) December 30, 2020

A physically dominant defender with a booming slap shot, the 6'9", 250-pound Slovak has been named an All-Star seven times and won the 2008-09 Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman. 

Chara recorded 14 points for the second consecutive year last season, posting five goals and nine assists with an average time on ice of 21:01 per night and finishing in the top 20 in the Norris race. 

 

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask believes he made the right decision in leaving the team during the first round of the 2019-20 NHL playoffs inside the the NHL bubble in Toronto.

In an interview with Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, Rask discussed the decision publicly for the first time and revealed that he felt uneasy about leaving his wife, Jasmiina, at home in Boston with their three children, including newborn Livia, during the COVID-19 pandemic:

"I think it was challenging for everybody. You're inside a bubble looking outside and you see the world out there, and you just know you can't exit the perimeter. It's obviously not easy from that perspective. But for me, my whole thing, before it even started, was that we didn't even have a passport for our youngest one for my family to go home [to Finland]. If they had a chance to go home, I'd be OK with that. Then I wouldn't have to worry about anything with what's going on in Boston. That was obviously something I was weighing even before we were in the bubble."

Rask also divulged that the main factor that contributed to his departure from the bubble was a medical situation involving his eldest daughter, Vivien:

"There was a situation with our oldest daughter that needed my immediate attention. I did what, as a dad and as a parent, I needed to do. That's it. There's no more drama to it. I had to make a choice of dealing with the consequences that might come afterwards. I chose for my own personal sake that it's better for me to come home than stay there and deal with the stuff later at home."

Rask left on the morning of Game 3 of Boston's first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins went on to win that game and the series with Jaroslav Halak in goal, but they were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round.

Rask revealed that watching the Bruins' playoff run from home was difficult since he knew there was nothing he could do to contribute at that time.

Although most were publicly supportive of Rask reuniting with his family during a difficult time, he faced some criticism as well. Most notably, former Bruins defenseman and head coach Mike Milbury questioned Rask's decision during an NBC broadcast.

Rask said the opinions of others had no impact on him:

"If people knew what was going on, they might have a different perspective. I'd like to say everything. But I want to be very protective of my daughter. I don't want to cause her any damage in the future by saying what happened and what didn’t happen. I hope you understand that."

Now that the dust has settled on the 2019-20 season and Rask's daughter, Vivien, is doing well, the focus shifts toward the 2020-21 campaign.

The 33-year-old Rask has spent his entire 13-year NHL career with the Bruins, but he is entering the final year of his contract.

The two-time All-Star, one-time Vezina Trophy winner and one-time Stanley Cup champion went 26-8-6 with a 2.12 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and five shutouts last season, but his future is far from guaranteed.

If next season is Rask's last in Boston, the Bruins are well-equipped to go on one more run. They led the NHL with 100 points in just 70 regular-season games last season, and with Rask and a strong group of forwards back in the fold, the Bruins have the makings of a Stanley Cup contender.

The Boston Bruins are one of the most intriguing teams in this NHL offseason. 

After drafting Mason Lohrei, Trevor Kuntar, Mason Langenbrunner, and Riley Duran before trading their final pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Bruins can turn their attention to the multitude of crucial contract negotiations that lie in front of them as the free-agency period opens Friday.

The Bruins defense is at risk of being cleared, with Torey Krug the central focus as he moves to the market for the first time in his eight years on the ice.

The 29-year-old isn't the only blueliner who will shop around in free agency, with Zdeno Chara and Matt Grzelcyk also in need of new contracts. Up front, Jake DeBrusk and Joakim Nordstrom are also trying to line up their futures this weekend.

With $14.4 million to spend as of Thursday night, here's what the Bruins are looking at heading into this offseason.

         

Can the B's Be Successful at OEL's Deadline?

Friday is doubly important on the Bruins' offseason calendar. 

The team is reportedly among those pursuing Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and the 29-year-old has given his potential suitors—including Boston and Vancouver, per The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa—a deadline of Friday to submit their offers.

The former sixth-round pick is heading into his 11th season in the league and would be a huge get for a Boston squad that is about to be seriously lacking at the blue line. 

Ekman-Larsson brings a contract that pays out $8.25 million in each of the seven years that remain.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston reported that the Coyotes were more intrigued by what Boston's prospect system could offer compared to Vancouver's.

However, TSN's Darren Dreger noted Thursday that the Bruins "don't like the asking price" on the left-shot defenseman, who posted nine goals and 21 assists with 65 blocks and 129 hits before Arizona fell in the first round of the playoffs. 

The addition of a contract as hefty as Ekman-Larsson's depends quite a bit on what happens to Torey Krug.

        

And What Will Happen to Torey Krug?

Krug is entering the market fresh off of a four-year contract that dealt out $5.3 million each year. But after several short-term deals in Boston, he has been vocal about his disinterest in a hometown discount, which is really all that the Bruins have offered.

The 29-year-old finished in the top tier of defensemen this season as he tacked on to his career total of 67 goals and 270 assists, and in a market that has signed players like Jacob Trouba to deals worth $8 million per year, he knows what's out there for him. 

"I've bet on myself," Krug said in September (h/t CBS Sports). "I've taken shorter-term deals, less amount of money my whole career now. This is my time in terms of my value at its peak. I have the ability; I'm in a position now where I need to make the most of it." 

Torey Krug to the Panthers? #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/PiKIRwFkiu

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) October 8, 2020

Per TSN's Frank Seravalli, the Bruins reached out with a six-year deal with a $6.5 million payout every year at the end of September. Boston general manager Don Sweeney gave an update on the situation in a press conference Monday.

"We haven't had any progress as far as Torey," he said, per NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin, before noting that they will keep the door open for the defender if he's not able to find what he's looking for in the free-agent market. 

           

At Least There's Tuukka Rask

Tuukka Rask may have left the NHL bubble, but the goaltender has no intention of departing Boston this offseason. 

Seravalli reported last week that Sweeney had "initiated conversations with teams about Rask's market value," but the Bruins GM put those rumors to bed on Monday (h/t 98.5 The Sports Hub). 

"As a matter of fact, our staff has communicated with Tuukka and, as I said before, he remains a big part of our roster planning going forward," Sweeney said before refusing to detail the no-trade clause in Rask's contract. "I think by my knowledge, he was second in the Vezina balloting and we feel very, very comfortable with where our goaltending is at. And I think you’re going to need it." 

In an interview with the Boston Herald, the 13-year Bruin, who finished 2019-20 with a 26-8-6 record, a 2.12 goals-against average, and .929 save percentage, said he wants to stay in Boston for the rest of his career: 

"I don't want to play for anybody else but the Bruins. I don't see any reason for that. I've been here for a long time and the organization's been so great for me. We've built our home in Boston and we call this home. So, yeah, I don't want to play for anybody else. I think where my head's at is focusing on next year and then hopefully a couple of more years after that and then pass the torch for the next guy after that. I want to help the organization as much as I can."

With the future of their defense in question this offseason, at least the B's will be strong in net, with Jaroslav Halak—who led the Bruins through the playoffs after Rask left the bubble—sharing netminding duties with the Finn.