Stanley Cup winner Tim Thomas supports Tuukka Rask's decision to opt out of NHL's return to play

The Boston Bruins announced Saturday ahead of their Game 3 matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes that goaltender Tuukka Rask has decided to opt out of the NHL's return to play.

While fans didn't take the news too well, former B's goaltender and 2011 Stanley Cup winner Tim Thomas explained why he supports Rask's decision. 

"I support Tuukka's right to make whatever choice he thinks is best for him and his family," Thomas said, according to Bill Burt of The Eagle Tribune. "Sometimes other things in life are more important than a game. I understand hard decisions."

You could tell Rask wasn't himself from the moment exhibition games began in the NHL's Toronto bubble.  

His decision to opt out comes after comments he made following Thursday's Game 2 defeat. Rask stated that it didn't really feel like the Stanley Cup Playoffs and that he was just trying to have fun and wasn't focusing on the results. 

Through two games against the Hurricanes, Rask gave up many rebounds and couldn't seem to control the puck. In four games in the NHL's bubble, the 33-year-old went 1-3-0 with a 2.57 goals-against average and .904 save percentage, which isn't up to par for the Vezina-nominated netminder. 

Now Boston will turn to Jaroslav Halak, who is just as capable of stealing games for the Bruins as Rask. Halak, who went 18-6-6 during the regular season, also has some pretty solid playoff numbers. The 35-year-old has a 2.45 GAA and .922 SV% through the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his career. 

It's likely that AHL goaltender Dan Vladar backs up Halak for the remainder of the playoffs, and the B's appear to have been ready for this situation. 

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he wasn't surprised by Rask's decision to opt out and that the club fully supports him.