BOSTON — Bruins head coach Claude Julien wouldn’t confirm that Zdeno Chara will return to the team’s lineup Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Julien did say, however, that he’s “counting on” the Bruins captain and No. 1 defenseman to play. Chara has missed the last 19 games with a PCL tear in his left knee suffered on Oct. 23 against the New York Islanders. He’s practiced the last two days and took contact in both sessions, too.
First-line center David Krejci participated in the Bruins’ morning skate but was among the last few players to exit the ice, along with defensemen Joe Morrow and Matt Bartkowski, as well as backup goalie Niklas Svedberg. Krejci has missed 17 games with an undisclosed injury this season and his status for Thursday night still is unclear.
“Nobody’s told me anything yet so unless anybody tells me something after this morning’s skate, I’m not going to count on him,” Julien said. “And if they tell me he’s ready to go, then he’ll be in.”
Julien also has to replace Simon Gagne at right wing on the fourth line. Gagne has taken an indefinite personal leave of absence to be with his ill father in Quebec City.
“Just got to replace him with a player,” Julien said. “I don’t know what to tell you about that. You have players and you plug in players and, you know, we’ll see where that goes. I don’t really have the answer right now to your question. I guess we’ll find out as we go along. We’ll put players in, hopefully that works and if it doesn’t we’ll look for others.”
Seth Griffith skated in Gagne’s spot at Wednesday’s practice. Craig Cunningham was recalled from the Providence Bruins (AHL) on Thursday and also could play in a bottom-six role as a center or at right wing.
Cunningham was asked about his status for Bruins-Blackhawks and what position he might play, but he didn’t have an answer for either question.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
