Taylor Hall practicing in regular jersey on Wednesday
BOSTON -- With the postseason fast approaching, Taylor Hall appears to be getting closer to a return to the Bruins lineup.
The forward, who has been out since late February with a lower-body injury, hit the ice at Wednesday's practice at Warrior Ice Arena in a regular jersey for the first time since getting injured. Hall had been skating with the team in a red, no-contact jersey in recent weeks.
"It's nice to be skating with the guys. There are still some steps and conversations that I have to have before I'm fully playing," Hall said after practice. "Just taking it step by step in the process with the organization and medical staff.
"I feel good. I tried to use the off time to rest up and get my mind as good as possible heading into, hopefully, a long playoff run," added Hall. "I feel rested and have some gas that some guys around the league might not after having this break."
Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said that he considers Hall doubtful for Thursday's home game against the Maple Leafs, but did not rule the winger out entirely. He said that getting Hall some regular season reps before the playoffs would be the ideal scenario for both Hall and the team.
Hall agrees.
"That's the plan. Don't know for sure yet, but whether it's the start of playoffs or tomorrow or whatever, I'm ready to go," said Hall. "I'm ready to play, whenever that is. It's exciting around here. Everyone knows the expectations that are on the outside and what we believe in this room. It's fun to rejoin this group."
Hall, 31, has played in 58 games in his third season with the Bruins. Skating mostly on Boston's third line, Hall tallied 16 goals and 20 assists while turning in a plus-12 rating. He was placed on IR on March 2.
On Wednesday, he staked with Charlie Coyle and Tyler Bertuzzi on Boston's third line.
"Tyler has been a really good addition to our team. He sees the ice really well," Hall said of Boston's midseason pickup on Wednesday. "He makes plays, keeps plays alive all over the ice. If that's who I'm playing with when I get back, that's a really good guy to inject on that line."
Now that he's shed the no-contact jersey, Hall could be nearing a return ahead of the postseason. Boston has five games remaining on its regular season schedule, with the final game ahead of the playoffs on April 13 in Montreal.
The Bruins aren't playing for much the rest of the way -- aside from chasing the NHL's all-time wins and points records -- but letting Hall knock off some rust seems to be a priority ahead of the playoffs.
