It was an optional skate Monday morning for the Boston Bruins, as they returned to the Warrior Ice Arena for the first time since embarking on their three game west coast road trip.
After winning back to back games for the first time this season, the Boston Bruins received more good news as Brad Marchand (Undisclosed), David Backes (Illness) and Ryan Spooner (Groin) all skated with the rest of the team, albeit in red non-contact jerseys.
Bruce Cassidy spoke on both Marchand and Spooner, saying both skaters are expected to practice Tuesday. If all goes well, both should suit up for Wednesday night’s game against New Jersey.
Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I am in great care and can not wait to be back at full strength and on the ice again. @NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/OISMkvdSTq
— David Backes (@dbackes42) November 3, 2017
Backes on the other hand, has just started to skate again after going under the knife for a recent bout with diverticulitis. He will be sporting the non-contact jersey for a while. Backes spoke to the media after he got off the ice saying that the doctors told him as long as he is pain free then he can continue to partake in non-contact drills. He has been out since November 1st, and was expected to miss at least eight weeks. It’s safe to say he is ahead of schedule, practicing less than three weeks later.
Torey Krug (Undisclosed) and Anders Bjork (Undisclosed) both were absent from Monday’s session. Krug was meeting with team doctors and could be cleared to practice on Tuesday. Bjork is not yet ready to return.
On the non-injury front, Cassidy was asked if he has decided on who will be starting Wednesday night in New Jersey. He didn’t say exactly but all signs are pointing towards Anton Khudobin being in net. As he mentioned “the hot hand” in his answers previously. Khudobin has started the past two games for the Bruins, and as I mentioned earlier is the first time the Bruins have won back-to-back games.
Next: Bruins week 7: A winning streak!
Health has been the biggest weakness for the Bruins so far this season. Getting some of their veteran players back will be huge as they try to make up ground in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. They currently sit three points back of Washington for the final playoff spot with two games in hand.