March 17, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) skates through the neutral zone with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins have had a few injuries this season that have given the team pause. At present, we’ve got three players down. Forwards Chris Kelly and Patrice Bergeron and defenseman Adam McQuaid have been hurt, and initially weren’t expected to return before the end of the season. It looks like Bruins Nation has caught a lucky break here. Various reports show that we could see all of the Bruins back on the ice in time for the playoff race.
Chris Kelly’s status has been changed “day-to-day”. Kelly joined the rest of the Bruins on the plane for Montreal this afternoon. At the moment, Kelly hasn’t been ruled out of the lineup against the Canadiens. He will be needed on the third line as a stabilizing force(the Bruins’ third line has been somewhat of a merry-go-round), and it would be a definite boost to team morale as the Black and Gold try once again to remove the Canadiens from atop the Northeast Division.
Patrice Bergeron is feeling better, and is not reporting any post-concussion symptoms. He hasn’t taken to the ice yet, but there have been no setbacks as of yet. The Bruins alternate captain went down with a moderate concussion after getting accidently struck in the head by Ottawa’s Colin Greening on April 2nd. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli discussed his conversation with Bergeron in yesterday’s press conference. “I talked to him about an hour ago and he was in very good spirits. He was out walking.” offered Chiarelli. “He was annoyed at it, and he was emotional (Tuesday) night. I asked him if I could update the media and he said, ‘Sure.’ . . . He sounded really good and I told him that we’ll work together in getting him back.”
The timetable isn’t totally clear on Bergeron, but if he remains symptom free, we could see Bergeron back on the ice in time for the playoffs.
Adam McQuaid is still skating on his own as he works his way back from a shoulder strain suffered on March 11th against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Odds are though that the pugilistic defenseman may return to full practice in the next few days. McQuaid was expected to miss up to six weeks when the injury first occurred according to the initial estimate by coach Claude Julien. In another lucky break for the organization, it seems his recovery is ahead of schedule. McQuaid has skated on his own for the last four days. From what has been discussed with the media, he has been using his shoulder in drills with the Bruins training staff.
The Bruins have twelve games left in the regular season. They have all but locked up a playoff slot, and the return of these players would only benefit the organization as they head into the post-season.