Slowly but surely, the Boston Bruins are getting back to full strength.
The returns of Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug in Sunday night’s 2-1 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild were a welcome sight for the Bruins and their fans. And with less than three weeks to go before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s optimism that other injured players soon will return to game action.
While speaking to the media Monday afternoon, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy provided updates on Charlie McAvoy (MCL), David Backes (knee laceration) and Rick Nash, Zdeno Chara and Jake DeBrusk, all of whom have been recovering from upper-body injuries.
Bruce Cassidy says Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy, and Jake DeBrusk are all back on the ice.
David Backes could resume skating tomorrow, but will not play.
Rick Nash has not yet been back on the ice. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/4pi1Nr7AVd
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 26, 2018
Bruce Cassidy on Rick Nash (upper-body): "Has not skated. Heâs the one that right now might be the farthest out." #NHLBruins
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 26, 2018
As for timetables of McAvoy, Chara and DeBrusk, Cassidy offered the following:
“I do believe Zee, Charlie and DeBrusk will join us,” Cassidy said. “I can only speculate is it this weekend? Thursday is maybe. But probably by the weekend we hope.”
Aside from the update on Nash, Cassidy mostly provided good news.
The Bruins likely want to play things extra safe with their injured stars. But with the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference standings still theirs for the taking, the B’s surely would welcome some reinforcements.
