Redden Practices, Still "Day-to-Day"

The Boston Bruins held an optional skate today at TD Garden prior to departure for Toronto. It was sparse pickings at the practice as several members of the Black-and-Gold opted out.

Jaromir Jagr, Tuukka Rask, Zdeno Chara, and David Krejci were some the more notables taking a maintenance day.

Though Patrice Bergeron and his line mates were among those Bruins who were taking part, attempting to get some extra work in prior to game 6 with the hopes of finding their game. It is apparent they need it considering the trio has only combined for a single goal this series.

Wade Redden also returned to the rink after sitting out game 5 with an undisclosed injury. Claude Julien is saying Redden will be listed as day-to-day. Neither redden nor the Bruins are shedding any insight as to what the ailment may be.

When asked about the injury, Redden said, “It’s feeling better, so that’s a positive.”

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.

Bergeron set to Return

The Boston Bruins received some incredible news yesterday regarding Patrice Bergeron, arguably the team’s best player. Bergeron has been sidelined since an April 2^nd victory over Ottawa. He was awkwardly struck in the head by a Colin Greening elbow while bearing down on a back check. Patrice left the game and did not return. He was diagnosed with a “mild concussion.”

The team’s doctors medically cleared Bergeron for a return to game action. When the news broke just after the B’s morning skate, the entire Boston organization, fans, and Patrice himself, exhaled in unison. At only 27 years of age and already a victim to four concussions, things looked bleak for the 2012 Selke winner.

Miraculously, Bergeron only sat out a modest seven games this time around. Under the supervision of the astute Boston training staff, his road to recovery saw steady improvements each day. Bergeron spoke about the news, saying “I want to get back out there, I feel good, feel confident-we're taking time and there's a reason for that, so I'm not hesitant and feel good.”

The center man’s presence in the Boston lineup is vitally important to the success of the club. In his absence the Bruins struggled offensively, showing little chemistry as a group. Claude Julien was forced to shuffle his lines and nothing seemed to work. Bergeron brings stability, dependability, and an unrivaled hockey sense.

Ultimately the final ruling as to when Bergeron actually plays is up to the coaching and training staff.  Patrice is on record saying he’s “ready to go” and that he felt he could play. It still remains to be seen as to when he will actually be re-inserted. Though from the looks of things over on Causeway, Bergy will most likely skate in the B’s next game.

Patrice was slotted alongside Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin in the AM skate. Carl Soderberg is scheduled to join Boston on Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. He projects to slide in somewhere within the bottom nine forwards. As the playoffs near, things are beginning to shape up for the Black-and-Gold.