Bruins Hold Optional Skate; Set to Face Flyers

Gregory Campell centered Boston's merlot line in
 practice today.

The Bruins held an optional practice today at Ristuccia arena in Wilmington. Several of Boston’s top players were absent from the skate and understandably so. Coming off a pair weekend tilts and set to embark on a grueling stretch that features six games in nine days, the Black-and Gold will only benefit from some rest and relaxation. A break in the action will also provide the guys who are banged up with a chance to rejuvenate.

Winger Nathan Horton was one of the many missing today. He is nursing an upper body/wrist injury suffered in a fight with Jarome Iginla. Claude Julien labeled Horton as day-to-day.

Zdeno Chara sat it out as well. Chara looked to be a bit shaken up yesterday after a collision with Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau. Boston’s captain could be seen visibly holding his right leg. He did return and finished out the game. It was a maintenance day for the big man.

Other notable Bruins that opted out from today’s session were Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Chris Kelly, Dennis Seidenberg, Dougie Hamilton, and Matt Bartkowski.

Boston will be in Philadelphia Tuesday night for a showdown with the Flyers.