Bergeron, Paille Part of Group That Missed Bruins’ Practice Today

Apr 3, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and forward Patrice Bergeron (37) and Reilly Smith (18) and defenseman Kevan Miller (86) celebrate a goal by Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (63) during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Several Bruins’ Players Not at Practice

The Boston Bruins recalled Justin Florek most likely due to the impending unavailability of Daniel Paille in Game 1 against the Detroit Red Wings. In the Bruins’ first postseason practice today, there were several more players absent from the ice: Chris Kelly, Patrice Bergeron, Loui Eriksson, Kevan Miller and Andrej Meszaros.

We know that Kelly is still recovering from back spasms and Bergeron’s injury has been characterized as “minor.” The ailments of Eriksson, Miller and Meszarsos have not been confirmed, but Claude Julien did reveal that a flug bug has been circulating the squad.

“We’re trying to manage that the best we can,” Julien said, according to NESN.com’s Mike Cole. “The best thing we can do right now is to keep those guys away from others, but it seems like a few more have gotten that. It started off just before Saturday’s game with a couple of players and just evolved from there. We’re just trying to manage it now and as far as [Wednesday] is concerned, you just cross your fingers that that’s the end of it and that your players are coming back.”

In the end, a flu bug, unless it’s absolutely horrible, shouldn’t keep the Bruins’ skaters from performing in playoff competition. Really, the sickness is an issue for Julien from the viewpoint that they will be missing valuable practice time. This five-day period free of games is a one-of-a-kind when you get into the postseason. From now on, the Bruins will won’t probably play at least one game every four days, unless they count on sweeping every series.