Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask gets start in 2019 NHL Winter Classic
It’s Tuukka Time for the Bruins on Jan. 1.
CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 17: Tuukka Rask #40 of the Boston Bruins in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 17, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Derek Leung/Getty ImagesThe Bruins will ring in the 2019 on Tuukka-Time, as goaltender Tuukka Rask has been named the team's starter for New Year's Day's head-to-head with the Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium.
The decision to go with Rask over Jaroslav Halak comes after Rask stopped 26-of-28 shots in a 3-2 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night. Overall, Rask is 9-8-2 with a .912 save percentage on the year.
This will be the second Winter Classic that the 31-year-old Rask has started in his NHL career. Rask was in net for Boston's debacle of a Winter Classic in 2016, surrendering five goals on 30 shots thrown his way in a 5-1 loss at Gillette Stadium.
He'll also get to bust out his sweet Notre Dame-styled mask.
Overall, Rask boasts a 4-2-1 record and .915 save percentage in eight career starts against the Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, will counter with Cam Ward.
