This One's For Tuukka
David Pastrnak was so hyped about Tuukka Rask’s return to the Bruins he promised he would score a hat trick … then he did
Tuukka Rask is a Boston Bruins legend. He’s the winningest goaltender in franchise history, for starters. He’s helped the team to three Stanley Cup Finals over the years, won a Vezina Trophy, and has been responsible for some lovably viral temper tantrums to boot. Thus, when Rask and the Bruins parted ways this spring, the 34-year-old free-agent in need of offseason hip surgery, it felt like the end of an era, much the same way Tim Thomas’ retirement felt before Rask stepped between the pipes.
But life is weird and hockey is weirder, and after eight months of separation, Rask and the Bruins reconciled on Thursday, when the veteran goaltender, who agreed to a prorated one-year deal with the Bs this weekend, returned to the ice for his first start since May. The TD Bank North Garden was rocking to say the least, but no one was more hyped than teammate David Pastrnak ...
A lot like Cosmo Kramer promising a sick kid that Paul O’Neill would hit two home runs, pledging to score a hat trick is not a move we would ordinarily endorse. Hat tricks are hard, last time we checked, but hell if Pasta didn’t go out there and do it anyway.
Talk about a carbo-load. Talk about laying it on the line for the homies. Pastrnak might take home the headwear, but make no mistake, this one was for Tuukka.