The NHL playoffs have reached their quarterfinals.

In one of these, the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes meet. So far, they have met twice and each won a battle.

On Saturday night at 18.00 Swedish time, it's time for a drop in the third - and there the Bruins have to do without their Finnish goalkeeper star, Tuukka Rask, who stood between the posts in the first two meetings between the teams.

Thanks for the support

The club announces that Rask has chosen to leave the Stanley Cup play-offs.

- I want to be with my teammates and compete, but in this situation there are more important things in life than ice hockey in my life and that is to be with my family. I want to thank the Boston Bruins and my teammates for their support and wish them luck, Rask said in a statement.

Tuukka Rask has been one of the NHL's best goalkeepers this season and is one of three nominees for the Verzina Trophy, the award given to the season's best goalkeeper.

In the absence of Rask, the Bruins instead field the 35-year-old Slovak, Jaroslav Halak.