Chara 'Probable' To Return For Bruins Against Panthers
BOSTON (CBS) -- Captain Zdeno Chara is "probable" to return for the Boston Bruins on Monday night against the Florida Panthers, head coach Claude Julien told reporters after Monday's practice.
Chara has been out of action since Nov. 22 with a lower-body injury suffered against the St. Louis Blues. The Bruins lost that night and have gone 3-2-1 in the six games since. Chara was averaging 22:41 of ice time per game prior to the injury.
"I felt good. Any time you come back to the team it's a good feeling. It's an exciting feeling," Chara said of his potential return after Monday's morning skate.
The Bruins have allowed only 1.83 goals per game in Chara's absence.
"The team battled hard and they did everything they could to win as many points as possible," said Chara. "Keeping the opposition to as low as they did, scoring-wise, is very impressive. It's a battle every game."
Chara said the key to returning from his lengthy absence will be keeping it simple and having good communication with his linemate, Brandon Carlo.
Elsewhere on the injury report, defenseman John-Michael Liles remains out as he recovers from a concussion while forward Noel Acciari (lower body) has also not been cleared to play. Winger Matt Beleskey, who left Saturday's win over the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury, is being evaluated on Monday, according to Julien.
Defenseman Torey Krug is also expected to play but, according to Julien, was hit by the same flu bug as Patrice Bergeron. Krug did not participate in Monday's practice, during which Joe Morrow took his usual spot next to Adam McQuaid. Chara skated with Carlo, his usual partner, while Kevan Miller and Colin Miller were the third defensive pairing.
Goaltender Tuukka Rask has played in four of the last six and stopped 107 of 114 shots (.939) in that span. Rask will get the start on Monday against the Panthers.