NHL Notebook: Tuukka time in Boston?

Let’s recap some of the major NHL headlines from on and off the ice over the last week.

Rask re-signs with Bruins, return to ice looms

Former Stanley Cup champion and Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Tuukka Rask re-signed with the Boston Bruins on a tryout basis last Tuesday, but has been unable to get any work in at the AHL level due to COVID-related postponements for the Providence Bruins. This has raised the possibility that Rask – seeking to return from offseason hip surgery – might engage in a trial by fire at the NHL level this week.

“To be honest, I’m not sure when he’s going to play,” Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters on Saturday. “So right now I can’t give you the definitive plan. He’s practicing and we’ll try to get him in some game action wherever we can. He might have to start playing here and miss some assignments in Providence.”

Boston's next game is Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Rask, 34, has spent 14 seasons with the Bruins, and is the Original Six franchise’s leader in wins.

Blues beat Stars in Sunday shocker

The St. Louis Blues trailed the Dallas Stars 1-0 late in the third period on Sunday before going on the power play. After pulling the goalie to make it a 6-on-4, Ryan O’Reilly scored with 47 seconds left to tie things up at 1-1. Just 29 seconds later, Jordan Kyrou beat Dallas netminder Braden Holtby to cap off the incredible comeback.

The Blues – 4-1 since the season resumed – are now just one point behind the Nashville Predators for the Central Division lead. Their Stanley Cup odds have dipped slightly from +2200 to +2000 over the last two weeks.

Sharks terminate Kane contract, NHLPA files grievance

After placing him on waivers over the weekend, the San Jose Sharks terminated the contract of Evander Kane on Sunday due to an alleged breach of his contract, and for allegedly violating AHL COVID-19 protocols. 

The NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of the embattled Kane, who is subject to forfeit the $22.8 million that remained on his seven-year pact. Dan Milstein – Kane’s agent – tweeted on Saturday that “The Sharks do not have sufficient grounds for taking this action.”

COVID forces postponements for Devils, Oilers

The Tampa Bay Lightning will not meet the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center this Monday night as scheduled, as the league postponed the game due to the Devils having seven players in COVID protocol. No make-up date has been announced yet.

The Ottawa Senators vs. Edmonton Oilers game was also postponed from Monday to Saturday, with eight Oilers players currently in COVID protocol.