Bruins will be pulling for Patriots in Super Bowl

BOSTON -- When Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask was growing up in Finland, football meant soccer to him, It wasn't until he was in his late teens that American-style football entered his consciousness. But living in Boston and getting to meet and befriend New England Patriots players like kicker Stephen Gostkowski has changed all that for Rask.
Now he's all about the Patriots.

Gostkowski and Rask have formed a friendship during the past six years, based partially on their similarities in temperament and the similarities of the positions each plays.
"He's kind of the lone wolf," Rask said. "Sometimes the game is in his hands, and a lot of times the game is in goalies' hands, if he makes the save. We talked about it a little bit last year. I'd say we're pretty similar guys, we're pretty laid-back. Goaltending position or kicker position, I think it's much needed [to be that way]."
They didn't talk strategies for handling the pressure, but Rask said he believes they don't need to. They are both equipped to take it on, even in the biggest games, like the Super Bowl on Sunday between the Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis.
But he does know what Gostkowski feels, as he steps onto the field, as he prepares to do his job.
"It's fun," Rask said. "We're just hoping that he makes the kick, like all over New England, everybody else. You're just a fan. But obviously you're just hoping for the best and trusting him that he's going to be the clutch player like he usually is."

The relationship between the Patriots and the Bruins has sparked fandom around the dressing room, and most of the Bruins will be rooting on the home team. They'll convene for the game as they have most years, often recently at the home of center Patrice Bergeron.
But not everyone is all-in.
Defenseman Torey Krug is from Livonia, Michigan, and his heart still belongs to the Detroit Lions, but that doesn't mean Krug can't appreciate the Patriots and cheer them on.
"The Lions have never won a playoff game since I remember watching, so it's been a long time coming," Krug said. "But it's been refreshing being here and becoming a Patriots fan too because the way that they accomplish things and the way they go about their everyday business is pretty fun to watch."
It makes sense that Krug can't remember a playoff win by the Lions. The last time they won in the postseason, Jan. 5, 1991, against the Dallas Cowboys, the 26-year-old wasn't yet born.
As for this weekend, Krug does caution that it might not be as easy as the Patriots and their fans think.
"I feel like the Eagles are a better team than people give credit for, even though around the country I feel people know that they are, but maybe in New England people think the Patriots are just going to walk in there and stomp on the Eagles," Krug said. "I think without [injured quarterback] Carson Wentz they're still a very good offense, and people aren't giving [quarterback Nick] Foles a lot of credit."
But that doesn't mean the Patriots aren't situated well for the win.
"I just think their strength is their character," Krug said. "They're down but never out. So many comebacks that are indicative of that. I just think that's their biggest strength. Obviously you have [quarterback] Tom Brady leading the way, it's easy to listen to what he says and fall in line and let him be your leader, for sure."

Weaknesses?
"I don't want to say too much," Krug said. "Sometimes their defense takes a little bit of time to get going. They're the best second-half team in football because their coaches are so smart in breaking down plays and adjusting to what the other team is doing."
Krug and Rask were among the Bruins who attended a Patriots practice before training camp last fall that gave them a chance to see how the football team works. Krug said it gave them an appreciation for the Patriots' "Do your job" mentality.
"I just think their professionalism and how organized they were and attention to detail [was impressive]," he said. "Everything was scripted, so if you fell behind you were left behind. From a team perspective, that might not always work but it keeps people accountable and in check. That was really fun to watch."
It's not the only time the Patriots and Bruins have crossed paths of late. The Patriots usually make a trip to TD Garden at some point during the season, and the teams get to interact a bit. Patriots safety Patrick Chung slipped onto the ice at the Bruins' practice facility, Warrior Ice Arena, in March, donning pads and skates and a Bruins practice jersey.
Rask said Rob Gronkowski expressed some interest in doing the same this year, after New England's season is over. He said Gronkowski can skate, but he's pushing the tight end (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) to try one particular position.
"I told him he should play goalie," Rask said. "That'd be interesting. Whatever he wants to do, but it would be pretty funny to see him in goalie gear."