‘He’ll be Ready to Go,’ Marchand Takes Maintenance Day, Krejci Returns

Days after appearing to suffer a slight hand injury during the intrasquad scrimmage in front of a packed house at TD Garden Thursday night, Bruins front liner and world-class pest Brad Marchand did not practice Sunday. Second line center David Krejci did return to practice after missing the scrimmage and the last few days due to illness.

Marchand, 31, is the Bruins leading playoff scorer with 18 points (7g, 11a) in 15 games. Thursday night, Marchand appeared to suffer a hand injury but did not miss a shift and played the full scrimmage. He practiced yesterday but not Sunday. Karson Kuhlman who skated in six playoff games took Marchand’s place on the Bruins line rushes.

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy quelled any speculation about Marchand’s health. Cassidy said Marchand will play in Game 1, “He’ll be ready to go.”

Following practice, Marchand was in game mode already, “I wanted a day off. I’ve had enough practicing. I’m good.”

Krejci, 33, is the Bruins third leading playoff scorer. The Czechoslovakia native has 14 points (4g, 10a) in 17 games. He has anchored the Bruins second line with “tuukka” wearing Jake DeBrusk and David Backes.

Boston Hockey Now Editor-in-Chief Jimmy Murphy is covering practice day and the media day press conferences at the TD Garden. Check back to Boston Hockey Now for more in-depth analysis, news and locker room video.

The Bruins lines:

Kuhlman – Bergeron – Pastrnak

DeBrusk – Krejci – Backes

Johansson – Coyle – Heinen

Nordstrom – Kuraly – Acciari

Defense Pairings:

Chara – McAvoy

Krug – Carlo

Grzelcyk – Clifton