Pastrnak Returns For Bruins But Chara Out Awaiting Test Results

The Boston Bruins got star right winger David Pastrnak back at practice Monday afternoon but after doing a Zoom media call earlier in the day captain Zdeno Chara missed practice as he awaited his COVID19 test results from Sunday. 

Per the Bruins on their Twitter handle:

“The team did not receive Zdeno’s test results from yesterday and as such are keeping him out at direction of medical advisors until they receive the result.”

Update on Zdeno Chara:

The team did not receive Zdeno’s test results from yesterday and as such are keeping him out at direction of medical advisors until they receive the result. https://t.co/l6RmRJ8vl9

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 27, 2020

As for Pastrnak, the team’s leading scorer who potted 48 goals in 70 games this season, was, as expected, back in the top-line right wing slot with center Patrice Bergeron and left wing Brad Marchand. Pastrnak had not practiced since July 15 but in a video tweeted by the team from Monday’s practice, Pastrnak looked like he had his wheels going as he did some drills and then led the end of practice stretch.

Day 1 was a doozy.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/NUYxV2ADTy

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 27, 2020

8⃣8⃣ gets the honors.@pastrnak96 | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/bSsP7xOFif

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 27, 2020

Speaking to the media earlier in the day, Bergeron did not seem the least bit worried that Pastrnak would miss a beat or struggle to catch up.

“For us, our chemistry, we usually pick up where we left off,” Bergeron said. “For him, it’s just going to have to be getting used to getting back on the ice and skating and getting his rhythm back and timing and all that. We’ll try to help him as much as we can, but I don’t know if he’ll really need that much help. He’s one of those guys that gets back and he’s so talented and it always seems effortless, so I’m expecting him to get back. Obviously he might be rusty a little bit, but we have a little bit of time before we start.”

Forwards Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase – who is back in Boston still – remained out of the lineup and no further updates were given by the team following their first practice in the bubble and NHL hub city of Toronto. 

The lineup was close to what was predicted here earlier on Monday.

Forwards

Marchand – Bergeron – Pastrnak

DeBrusk – Krejci – Studnicka

Kuraly – Coyle – Bjork/Kuhlman

Nordstrom – Lindholm – Wagner

Defense

Grzelcyk – McAvoy

Krug – Carlo

Moore – Lauzon

Vaakanainen – Clifton

Goalies

Rask

Halak