After Tuukka Rask looked a little uncomfortable physically at times in Monday’s Game 2, coach Bruce Cassidy shrugged off a question about Rask’s health after the game.
“Well, he finished the game, so I assume he’s OK,” Cassidy said then. “If he wasn’t, he would have told us. We have a very capable backup, so I assume he’s fine. We’ll have that discussion later. We don’t play until Thursday, so he’ll have time to rest if there is something going on.”
During his Tuesday morning press conference, Cassidy was asked about Rask once again and elaborated a little more, acknowledging that Rask is dealing with “nagging” injuries but that as of now he thinks his veteran goalie will be ready for Game 3 on Thursday.
“He’s been dealing with some injuries all year,” Cassidy said. “Obviously good enough to play. They’re nagging. Not unique to just Tuukka. For that position, obviously it’s going to be brought up. Today’s an off day for everybody. Get away from the rink. If you need treatment, get in. I’ll have a better update on if there’s going to be a potential issue down the road, but right now, he’ll go in and get his treatment, be ready to go tomorrow I assume, unless I hear differently.
“Right now, I don't believe there's any reason to think that he won't be ready to go Thursday. That’s where we’re at with Tuukka. … As for his injury, I don’t believe there will be anything to worry about. If there is, then obviously we’ll have to sort through that.”
Rask missed a month from mid-March to mid-April after suffering what appeared to be a back injury in a game against the Devils.
During an appearance on The Greg Hill Show last week, Rask admitted his health was still not where he wanted it to be.
“Game feels good. Health is OK,” Rask said. “I’ve been playing, so that’s OK. It’s not as good as I’d want it to be, but obviously I’ve been playing and practicing. I’m out there. That’s all that matters.”
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