Boston Bruins

Bruins Captain Zdeno Chara And Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk Skate; Gametime Decisions

Published

5 years ago

June 6, 2019

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (broken jaw) skated with a full shield and in his regular black contact jersey at the Bruins’ morning skate Thursday morning. Also on the ice, in the same black contact jersey, in advance of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues at 8 PM (NBC) was fellow rearguard Matt Grzelcyk (concussion) who skated in a non-contact jersey yesterday. Following the skate, head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media that both were gametime decisions.

“They’re on the ice now, so that’s a good sign. We’ll see how they feel around 7-7:30 tonight,” Cassidy said, stressing that as far as Chara goes, “it’s up to the doctor and if he says OK, then it’s up to him.”

Chara later replied to a question provided by the Professional Writers Association:

“At this time of the playoffs, everyone has injuries and there are challenges that you have to overcome to play,” he said when asked how he could play through the pain. “I’m no different than any player on either team.

On if he was afraid he’d get even more injured? “You don’t think about that. You think about playing. You don’t go into a game thinking you might get hurt.”

Zdeno Chara. On the ice. pic.twitter.com/CrgN2mOeg8

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 6, 2019

Grzelcyk said he will be ready if cleared to play:

“Not really sure. Coach said game-time decision. If I’m in I’ll be ready to play.”

Cassidy also added that they could still dress seven defensemen.

Chara, 42, was injured early in the second period of the Bruins’ 4-2 loss in Game 4 at St. Louis when he took an errant puck to the face. The 6’9, 225-pound defenseman has a goal and four assists in 20 playoff games.

Grzelcyk, 25, suffered a concussion in Game 2 a week ago. He has three goals and four assists.