Bruins Practice Notes: Zdeno Chara Skates Again; Playing Status Still Uncertain

BOSTON — Zdeno Chara will be a game-day decision as the Bruins close in on their regular-season opener.

Chara, who’s been sidelined since Sept. 24 with an upper body injury, practiced with the team for a second straight day Wednesday, but head coach Claude Julien said the defenseman’s status for Thursday’s season-opening matchup with the Winnipeg Jets has yet to be determined.

“I think we saw the same thing here: A guy who’s getting better all the time,” Julien said. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to him after practice, obviously. … I know there’s a decision to be made there as far as (Thursday) is concerned, whether we take him off (injured reserve) or whether we keep him on. I don’t have that answer, but I know he’s feeling a lot better.

“Early in the season, we have to make a decision there — whether he’s well enough that we can take that risk or whether we want to be a little more cautious. And that’s a discussion that I’m sure is going to happen at some point before tomorrow.”

Chara has not played since suffering his injury in the first period of the Bruins’ third preseason game. He remained on IR as of Wednesday afternoon but is eligible to be activated at any time.

Some additional notes from Wednesday’s practice at TD Garden:

— Max Talbot once again practiced with the team despite being waived Monday. His future with the Bruins remains uncertain.

— After a special team-heavy session, David Krejci said he’d like to see more penalty-kill time this season.

“I was hoping, but the last (preseason) game against Washington, I think I got only 12 seconds,” the veteran center said. “So, we’ll see. But the most important thing is to get off (to) a good start. Get some wins early on. That’s what matters. If that means that I won’t be on PK, then so be it. The team’s more important right now.”

Krejci averaged 34 seconds of short-handed ice time per game last season, the third-lowest mark of his career.

Also of note: David Pastrnak did not skate on either of the team’s power-play units at practice.

— Julien after practice gave his general scouting report of the Jets, who reached the playoffs last season for the first time since their move from Atlanta.

“They’re big. They’re fast. They’re very aggressive,” Julien said. “Their D’s are always up on the attack, but even in the offensive zone, they’re always pinching the walls, not just on breakouts but in any part of the game. So, they’re a very aggressive team. I know they’ve added some young players to their lineup, but I think that’s a team and an organization that’s been trending upward, and they’ve earned a lot of respect around the league.”

— In net, the Bruins likely will see Ondrej Pavelec, an occasional Czech national squad teammate of Krejci’s.

Pavelec played in 50 games for the Jets in 2014-15 and posted career bests in goals against average (2.28) and save percentage (.920). Those were middle-of-the-pack numbers when compared to other NHL goalies, though, and Krejci wasn’t ready to say his countryman has the potential to produce on a consistent basis.

“I don’t know, that’s up to him,” Krejci said. “That’s up to how he kind of works hard on and off the ice. He could be. He’s got the potential. He’s very good. … That being said, if I had to pick between (Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask) and him, of course I’ll pick Tuukks any day. But he’s still very good.”

— The Winnipeg matchup kicks off a difficult opening stretch for the Bruins, who begin their season by welcoming three consecutive playoff teams (the Jets, Montreal Canadiens and defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning) to Causeway Street.

“You always want to get off to a good start,” winger Matt Beleskey said of his team’s tricky early schedule. “I don’t think there’s three teams you could pick that would be an easy three games. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a tough first week, but that’s perfect. It’s a good test.”

Thumbnail photo via Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports Images