But instead, on the heels of Boston's series-clinching, 4-3 win on Monday, Savard was at the Bruins' practice facility getting in some extra preparation for his first game action since suffering a Grade 2 concussion on March 7.
"I was cleared the other day, so all signs would’ve pointed [to being probable for a potential Game 7]," Savard told the media after a long practice on Wednesday.
The team’s leading scorer is happy his team was able to clinch and even happier that he now has some extra time to prepare for Round 2.
"I’m feeling great,” Savard said. "I'm excited. I’m really happy with the way the guys played, and that I was able to get a couple of days out of that. So it turned out to be a good plan all along."
But while Savard is happy, he isn’t completely enjoying himself. After skating on a line with Michael Ryder and Vladimir Sobotka during practice, Savard remained on the ice with the healthy scratches. Then, even after the "Black Aces" left, Savard remained for a little more physical testing and was the last player off the ice.
"[Wednesday], I guess, was my last kind of test," a winded Savard said. "A little bit felt like the Boston Marathon, Heartbreak Hill or whatever it’s called. So they made it pretty tough today, but I got through it. And I skated hard in practice, too. I gave it all I’ve got, so it was a good test. And I’m feeling great. I’m really excited to get the opportunity to play in the playoffs again."
No one knows for sure what type of role Savard will be thrown into when the semifinals begin, but from the sounds of it, Savard and head coach Claude Julien seem to be on the same page: Caution and easing back in is the right approach.
"It’s a start right now," Julien said. "I don’t think you want to give him too much to chomp at. It’s important for him to just get himself feeling good and giving him a chance to get better as we move on here. When you’ve been out for two months, it’s important for you to come in and be given a fair chance to help your hockey club."
Savard, too, is realistic about what may or may not happen in his first few games back.
"I imagine that I will be eased in, for sure," Savard said. "I probably won't be getting the 19 or 20 minutes that I usually get right off the top, but we'll see how things go. Yeah, I think the first couple of days I was out there, I was like, 'Jesus, this is going to take awhile.' I am not going to be a savior or anything and go out, you know, and get three goals in the first game. I would like to, but I don't think that it is going to happen."
Savard is happy to play with anyone right now, but he likes the potential of skating with Ryder and Sobotka.
"I am excited and I am going to play with Vladdy and Rydes, it looks like," he said. "I love the way those guys have been playing in the playoffs, especially Vlad, the way he has been going, so I am excited to play between those guys and create some results to help the team."
For now, it appears that Shawn Thornton will be odd-man out, with Blake Wheeler moving down to the fourth line with Daniel Paille and Steve Begin.
Savard’s teammates are thrilled to have him back on the ice, and they know they will feel his presence in the dressing room.
"We all know Savvy likes to talk," forward Patrice Bergeron said with a smile. "But it’s a good addition, and he’s a big part of our team. He’s a great player and will help us a lot."
