Savard, who has been out with a Grade 2 concussion since March 7, has been skating for two weeks and was medically cleared to play on Monday.
"They get back one of their top forwards, and not only is it a good psychological boost, but they're getting a good player back," Flyers coach Peter Laviolette told NHL.com. "He'll be worked into that mix and they have four good lines they'll roll. He's a good playmaker and he'll make the players on his line better, but we can't worry about the opponent and who's in or who's out. We have to make sure we're on top of our game."
But while Savard will obviously help the Bruins’ suddenly hot power play (6-for-22 against Buffalo in the quarterfinals), the Flyers know he isn’t the only weapon the Bruins have. There is, by the way, a towering presence in the 6-foot-9 Zdeno Chara on the blue line.
"I think [Savard] changes the dynamics a little bit because he's obviously a power-play guy — very skilled," Flyers forward Scott Hartnell told NHL.com. "He's a leader in that dressing room and has put up good numbers. But they also have Chara, who isn't too bad, either. He also leads by example and can score, so we got to get on him, too, and not make him feel comfortable with the puck."
The penalty kill is another weapon that the Bruins have used to perfection lately, going 19-for-19 in the opening round, six-game win over Buffalo.
"Your best penalty-killer is probably your goaltender, and from there, it's about the execution you use," Laviolette said. "The willingness to block shots, the execution with your system. Where the power play is more about creativity, the penalty kill is about sticking to the system, and [Boston] is very good at that."
