Claude Julien: David Krejci ‘Probable’ To Return For Bruins-Ducks

BOSTON — Bruins center David Krejci is “probable” to return Thursday night when his team hosts the Anaheim Ducks at TD Garden, per head coach Claude Julien.

Julien did note that Krejci will take the warmup and a final decision will be made after the skate.

Krejci has missed the last 15 games after suffering a partially torn MCL in his left knee against the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 18. He was expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury.

Krejci could return as a winger instead of a center, which he’s played for nearly his entire career. He skated at right wing alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand for the last three days, including Thursday’s morning skate.

“Probably a little less responsibility for now,” Julien said when asked about the advantages of having Krejci on the wing. “He’s only played half the season. We shouldn’t expect him to be our savior. Who knows how he’s going to react if he plays tonight, or how he’s going to be able to help us out. We don’t know that.

“When you’ve been out that long, the pace at this time of the year is pretty quick and putting him there probably takes a little pressure off him in terms of having to do all the dirty work down low and everything else. We’ll start him off there and see where it goes, whether its (Thursday night) or the next game, that’s our plan right now and that’s why you see him on the wing.”

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images