Daniel Paille Returns To Ice Prior To Bruins Morning Skate
BOSTON (CBS) -- Daniel Paille took a positive step in his recovery on Friday, returning to the practice ice prior to the team's optional morning skate at the TD Garden. Paille skated with injured defenseman Adam McQuaid.
The Bruins have not released official word on Paille's injury, but given his inability to stand on his own two feet after getting hit on Saturday, it's been safely assumed that he suffered a concussion. Paille suffered two concussions earlier in the season, missing three weeks in December and a few games in March.
When speaking after the rest of the team participated in an optional morning skate, head coach Claude Julien offered no update to Paille's condition. The coach did say that Friday was the first time that Paille has skated since suffering the injury.
Paille was hit by Jake McCabe on Saturday afternoon, when the Sabres defenseman delivered a forearm to Paille's chest. Paille's face appeared to directly absorb much of the body contact that followed, and he fell to the ice. When he tried to skate to the bench, Paille nearly fell, needing assistance from his teammates to make the short skate.
The Bruins open their postseason on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. It's highly unlikely that Paille will be in the lineup when the puck drops for Game 1, but his presence on the ice on Friday morning suggests he may be progressing in his recovery.
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