B's netminder Tuukka Rask will be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks

We’ve waited and waited — the answers are here…

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who was injured at the 9:01 mark of Saturday afternoons 3-2 loss to the New York islanders at the TD Garden, will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a lower abdomen strain/groin strain.

General manager Peter Chiarelli disclosed this statement last night:

“Tuukka Rask sustained a lower abdomen strain/groin strain and will be sidelined 4-6 weeks.”

Rask has posted a 11-8-3 record this 2011-12 NHL season with four shutouts, a .929 (5th) save-percentage and 2.05 goals-against average (5th).

Michael Hutchinson remains as the Black and Gold’s No. 2 behind Tim Thomas. Hutchinson has played in 18 games with the AHL Providence Bruins this season, posting a 6-11-0 record and one shutout, .920 save-percentage and 2.62 goals-against average; and an even .500 record, 1-1-0 in two ECHL games with the Reading Royals, with a .915save-percentage and 3.50 goals-against average.

Meanwhile the Bruins also signed 36-year-old netminder Marty Turco. The 36-year-old’s last game in the NHL was back on March 17 of the 2010-11 NHL season. The Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada native played in 29 games that season, posting a 11-11-3 record with one shutout, a pedestrian .897 save-percentage and 3.02 goals-against average. He has also appeared in four regular season games with the EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian First Division this year, where he posted a 2.64 goals-against average and .934 save-percentage.

Turco has been placed on waivers — and if he clears — he will join the Bruins on Wednesday, March 7. However if he does clear waivers — being claimed post NHL trade deadline — he will not be eligible to play in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs should the Bruins qualify.

The contract and terms, as usual were not disclosed. However, according to capgeek.com, the Bruins have just over $1.1 million remaining against the cap; Turco made $1.3 million with the Blackhawks.