Veteran Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask has been granted a leave of absence from the team to deal with a personal matter, general manager Don Sweeney told reporters Friday.
Sweeney did not provide any further information on Rask’s absence, other than to say it is not health-related.
Rask took the ice for the tail end of the Bruins’ 8-5 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday after Jaroslav Halak was pulled after roughly 35 minutes of play. In 25:07 minutes to close out the game, Rask registered 11 saves on 14 shots.
Overall, the veteran has a .901 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average through eight appearances thus far in 2018-19.
Sweeney also told reporters that defender Charlie McAvoy, who hasn’t suited up for the club since Oct. 18, will remain out for the time being while dealing with a concussion.
The 20-year-old rearguard has six points through seven games this season.
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