Greetings from Ristuccia Arena, where the Bruins are practicing for a rematch with the Ottawa Senators, who lead them by four points in the Eastern Conference and Northeast Division standings.
While the Bruins are still feeling the sting from Thursday's controversial loss to Columbus, there is good news here in Wilmington. Marc Savard skated through a workout and practiced with the team wearing the injured red jersey. Savard isn't expected to be back until Jan. 29 at Buffalo.
As for Thursday night, general manager Peter Chiarelli told the Boston Herald that Mick McGeogh, the NHL officiating supervisor at the TD Garden came over and apologized for the blown call on the Milan Lucic high-sticking double-minor that led to the Blue Jackets' game-winning power-play goal.
"The supervisor came in and apologized to us,” Chiarelli told the Herald. “He said it was a mistake. At least that was good of them to admit it.”
But as Chiarelli told NESN.com today, that's just "cold comfort."
NESN Bruins play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards asked head coach Claude Julien on Thursday night if the NHL should institute a replay rule or allow coaches to challenge.
"If it’s worthy of it, maybe it’s something to the league if they want to look at that, they can," Julien said. "But right now, it’s not part of it and you move on. I think that’s what we’re trying to do right now. As disappointing as it is, we’ve got to move on."
Chiarelli concurred with Julien on Friday.
"That could be something they should look into but for now, it is what it is," he said.
The lines remained the same as Thursday night, and once again, Marco Sturm, Steve Begin and Byron Bitz were not present at practice. They are doubtful for Saturday.
Forwards
Milan Lucic–David Krejci–Blake Wheeler
Daniel Paille–Patrice Bergeron–Mark Recchi
Miroslav Satan–Trent Whitfield–Michael Ryder
Shawn Thornton–Vladimir Sobotka/Marc Savard–Drew Larman
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Derek Morris
Mark Stuart–Dennis Wideman
Matt Hunwick–Johnny Boychuk
Goaltenders
Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas
