Zdeno Chara won't be suspended for Game 6, but could another player be sitting in the press box Monday?
That could be the case because if he has his way, center Marc Savard, out since March 7 with a Grade 2 concussion, will be in the lineup for the Bruins, forcing another player out.
Savard skated again at the TD Garden on Saturday and, afterwards, indicated it's simply up to the coaches and training staff to decide if he’s ready.
"I did six or seven of those in-game-type situation shifts and I felt pretty good," Savard told the assembled media. "I obviously faded a little bit toward the end, but in the same sense I’m feeling great. Today was another good day and I keep progressing. It's coming along better than I thought, so that's good.
"It comes down to the training staff and Claude [Julien], and we'll go from there. We'll see what happens."
Later in the day, a Bruins source told NESN.com that Julien would rather not insert his best offensive weapon into the lineup now or in this series, even if it goes to seven games. According to the source, general manager Peter Chiarelli is in agreement with Julien and would prefer not to rush the player in whom he invested seven years at $4.2 million per season earlier this year.
But Savard is making a strong case to return and wants to be playing playoff hockey as soon as possible.
"Of course. Every player wants to play," said Savard. "The adrenaline is pumping. Even today I couldn't wait to get out there — even though nobody else was out on the ice — and keep challenging myself. We'll see what happens from here on in.
"I always think it’s a possibility [to return to this series]. But we're looking at the safe side of things, too. But I feel great, and as long as I'm feeling good… Tomorrow's practice, we’ll see how it goes and take it one day at a time."
