Boychuk May Miss Game, Ference, Paille Game Time Decisions
BOSTON (CBS) - The Bruins may be without one of their top defenseman Thursday night against Columbus, but another may be returning.
Johnny Boychuk will be a game-time decision with the flu, but the Bruins will not need to make a move with Andrew Ference set to return if needed.
"Right now he's fine and unless that changes over the course of next few hours, we don't anticipate calling anybody up," head coach Claude Julien said after Thursday mornings skate. "So he felt good this morning and that was something that we had to look at with Johnny [Boychuk]'s situation. Had he not [been feeling better], then we would have probably out of caution, just called somebody up."
Read: Bruins- Blue Jackets Preview
Ference missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but skated with the team for a second straight day on Thursday. An assistant captain, Ference has five assists on the season.
Forward Daniel Paille, who took a puck to the face in last week's win over the Islanders, will also be a game-time decision Thursday night.
Listen: Mark Recchi Joins Gresh & Zo
"I don't see any issues with him, he seems to be feeling ok," said Julien. "Obviously yesterday getting those things out of his nose (the splints) has helped him breathe a lot and you know, those last couple of days of practicing has been good because he's got a full visor screen and it does take a little bit of time to adapt to that so he seemed pretty good this morning so there's a good chance you'll see him tonight."
98.5 The Sports Hub is the only place to hear every game of the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins 2011-12 NHL season with Dave Goucher and Bob Beers. Pregame coverage begins 30 minutes before the puck drops, with Postgame coverage following each game.
