Bruins' Rask, Krug backing Patriots' pursuit of 2nd straight Super Bowl title

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask and Torey Krug will be cheering on their Boston-area compatriots the New England Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl.

Though Rask has become good friends with Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski over the years, the Finnish netminder admits he'll be watching the game just like every other fan on Sunday.

"It's fun," Rask said, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "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."

As for Krug, growing up in Michigan he's always been a fan of the Detroit Lions, but with few reasons to celebrate in recent years, he's become more of a Patriots fan during his time with Boston.

"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."

As far as predictions for Sunday's game go, Krug thinks people shouldn't sleep on the Philadelphia Eagles, but that you can never count out the Patriots - as recent history has shown.

"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."

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