WILMINGTON, Mass. — David Krejci practiced with the Boston Bruins on Wednesday for the first time since he suffered a partially torn MCL in his left knee on Feb. 20.
The top-six center also participated in Tuesday’s morning skate. Bruins head coach Claude Julien said Krejci is “progressing well” in his recovery and this weekend’s back-to-back against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning is the earliest he would return to the lineup.
Krejci will accompany the team on its road trip, which begins Thursday in Ottawa. The original timetable for Krejci to return was four to six weeks from the time of the injury.
The only player who didn’t practice was rookie forward David Pastrnak. Julien said Pastrnak’s absence was for a maintenance day.
Providence Bruins goaltender Jeremy Smith remained with the team and participated in practice. He was recalled on an emergency basis from Providence on Tuesday and was Niklas Svedberg’s backup for Bruins-Sabres. Tuukka Rask was scratched Tuesday night due to “general soreness,” but also took part in Wednesday’s practice.
All three goaltenders will go on the road trip, per Julien.
Here are the lines, pairings and goaltenders from Wednesday’s practice:
Milan Lucic-Ryan Spooner-David Krejci
Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Reilly Smith
Chris Kelly-Carl Soderberg-Loui Eirksson
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Max Talbot/Brian Ferlin
Zdeno Chara-Dougie Hamilton
Matt Bartkowski-Dennis Seidenberg
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask, Niklas Svedberg, Jeremy Smith
Thumbnail photo via Amber Searls/USA TODAY Sports Images
