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Bruins' Zdeno Chara, Matt Grzelcyk Game-Time Decisions for Stanley Cup Game 5

Jun 6, 2019

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said defensemen Zdeno Chara and Matt Grzelcyk are both listed as a game-time decision for Thursday night's Game 5 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues at TD Garden in Boston.

"They're on the ice now, so that's a good sign," Cassidy told reporters Thursday morning. "We'll see how they feel around 7-7:30 tonight."

https://twitter.com/renlavoietva/status/1136648404531126273

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reported Chara suffered a broken jaw when he took a puck to the face during the second period of Game 4.

The Bruins haven't confirmed the diagnosis, referring to it only as a "facial injury."

"He's an absolute warrior. If it wasn't for a doctor, he would have played that game. He's that kind of guy who you're going to have to kill him to keep him off," forward Brad Marchand said Tuesday. "He's an absolute leader, and those things, you just gain respect for him every single day with what he's willing to go through to be part of the group and lead this team. He's an incredible person."

Meanwhile, Grzelcyk returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games of the Stanley Cup Final with a concussion suffered in Game 2.

Boston and St. Louis have split the first four games of the series, making Thursday's clash a pivotal turning point.

John Buccigross of ESPN noted teams that win Game 5 when the NHL's championship series is 2-2 have gone on to win the championship 72 percent of the time.

Having both Chara and Grzelcyk would bolster the Bruins' chances. They are still listed as the favorite (-155, per Vegas Insider) for Thursday's game despite the uncertainty.

Faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

Report: Bruins' Zdeno Chara Diagnosed with Broken Jaw After Game 4 Injury

Jun 4, 2019

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara has been reportedly diagnosed with a broken jaw after being injured in their Game 4 Stanley Cup Final loss to the St. Louis Blues.

 of The Athletic reported the news.

Chara took a puck to the face during the second period of the 4-2 loss, lying on the ice for several minutes and delaying the game as blood needed to be cleaned up. He returned to the bench during the third period to cheer on his teammates.

"He's a guy who wants to be out there," Bruins center David Backes told reporters. "He wants to battle and be with the guys. ... If there's any chance for him to be back, he'll be back. If not, it'll be next man up again. Whoever our next guy up is will have to fill that role admirably—and they're big feet to fill."

Chara previously missed the Bruins' Game 4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference final because of an injury. The 42-year-old was also limited to 62 games during the regular season because of injury. He has one goal and four assists during these playoffs, and the Bruins have outscored opponents by 12 goals when he's been on the ice.

While he's not been ruled out for Game 5, a broken jaw makes it highly unlikely he'll be able to play. Steven Kampfer could get a chance to make his third appearance of the playoffs if Chara is out of the lineup. 

Bruins' Zdeno Chara Uncertain for SCF Game 5 vs. Blues After Taking Puck to Face

Jun 4, 2019
Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, is helped off the ice after getting hit in the face with the puck during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues Monday, June 3, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33), of Slovakia, is helped off the ice after getting hit in the face with the puck during the second period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues Monday, June 3, 2019, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is questionable for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the St. Louis Blues after he took a puck to the face in Game 4 on Monday night.

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy spoke about the defenseman's condition following the team's 4-2 loss, h/t Eric Russo of the team's official site:

"Very uncomfortable, was advised not to return to play. Had some stitches, probably some dental work in the near future. I don't know his status for Game 5. Obviously when he gets back home he'll have to be re-evaluated, see how he feels [on Tuesday] for starters. Obviously if we have something we'll give it to you. I can't say whether he'd play in Game 5 or not. No idea."

The team did not have an update as of Tuesday morning.

Chara left the game in the second period after being hit by a shot attempt by the Blues' Brayden Schenn. He was bloodied and immediately went to the locker room to receive medical attention.

He did not play another shift, though he did return to the bench in the third period with a full shield covering his face. 

Boston forward Marcus Johansson discussed the captain's importance after the game:

Chara played eight minutes and 23 seconds, recording one assist and an even plus-minus rating. Without him for the final 37 minutes, though, the Bruins couldn't pull out a come-from-behind victory. St. Louis outscored Boston 2-0 in the final period to grab a 4-2 win to tie the series at two games apiece.

Even at 42 years old, the 6'9", 250-pound Chara remains a pivotal part of the team's success. His presence in the lineup becomes even more important given the uncertain status of fellow defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who has been out of the lineup since suffering a head injury in Game 2.

Boston will have nearly three full days between Games 4 and 5, as the teams will be off until Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

Bruins' Zdeno Chara out for Game 4 vs. Hurricanes; Ruled Day to Day with Injury

May 16, 2019

If the Boston Bruins are going to sweep the Carolina Hurricanes out of the Eastern Conference Finals, they'll have to do it without captain Zdeno Chara.

The team announced ahead of Thursday night's Game 4 that the 42-year-old defenseman will not be active and is listed as day to day. While Boston didn't specify why Chara has been sidelined, he took a shot off of his ankle during Game 1 that caused him to temporarily leave the ice. 

Chara returned to Game 1 in the second period and has logged 66:28 in playing time during the series. 

Boston will also be without right winger Chris Wagner in Game 4, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed while meeting with reporters Wednesday.

Wagner took a puck to his right forearm while blocking a shot from Justin Faulk in the third period of Game 3 Tuesday night, as the Bruins were trying to hang on to their 2-1 lead. 

"You never want to see injuries like that," Boston center Charlie Coyle said after the Bruins' Game 3 win, according to Boston.com's Nicole Yang. "That's a testament to him and what he's willing to give to this team. To block a shot like that, that gets us fired up. It's the little things. They add up. That's a big loss for us."

In Wagner's place will be Noel Acciari, who has been recovering from an upper-body injury sustained during Game 4 of the Bruins' second-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Acciari will look to seamlessly slide back into a fourth line that has provided to be a vital reinforcement for the Bruins throughout this postseason.

"They're very similar," Cassidy told Yang. "We don't lose much. That's no disrespect to Chris. That’s maybe a compliment to Noel. That’s just what he brings. That line should keep on motoring."

However, the 28-year-old John Moore has very large skates to fill while starting for Chara. The captain had appeared in 98 consecutive Stanley Cup playoff games for the Bruins, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. This season is Moore's first with the Bruins, and he has played in four of their postseason games but posted a minus-four rating.

Chara last missed a postseason game in 2011, the same year the Bruins last hoisted the Cup.

During this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, Chara has played in 16 games and contributed one goal, two assists and a plus-11 rating.

David Pastrnak's Late Goal Gives Bruins 4-3 Game 5 Win over Blue Jackets

May 4, 2019
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Patrice Bergeron #37 after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Blue Jackets 4-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 04: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with Patrice Bergeron #37 after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeat the Blue Jackets 4-3. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins are back in front of their second-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets after a 4-3 victory in Game 5.

David Pastrnak came through with two goals in the third period, including the go-ahead score with 1:28 remaining to help seal the win for Boston in Saturday's home game at TD Garden. Tuukka Rask had 33 saves as the Bruins improved to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.

The Blue Jackets overcame a two-goal deficit and had several good chances for a late tie but are now one game away from elimination.

Pastrnak was the hero for Boston, finding the back of the net on a great pass from Brad Marchand:

While it was a close battle throughout, the drama really began with 10 minutes remaining in the third period.

Boston scored the only goal in the first two periods, and a Brad Marchand goal gave the home team a 2-0 advantage in the third.

That seemed like a decisive blow, but Columbus got back in it with a goal that wasn't overturned on review:

Pastrnak responded with a quick score to go up 3-1, but the Blue Jackets fought back with two more goals in the span of two minutes:

But it wasn't enough as the visitors couldn't get that last goal needed to get the lead.

The late-game scramble was a major change from the rest of the matchup, which was full of physicality and strong defense. Both teams killed two penalties to keep it scoreless early on, with David Krejci sneaking one through for the only goal of the first two periods.

Both goalies were on fire in the first two periods, with Sergei Bobrovsky and Rask making big plays to keep the net clear in the second:

Bobrovsky made 32 saves during the course of the game, many of them with a high degree of difficulty.

Even the second goal for Boston came after an impressive stop, but Marchand was able to follow it up with a perfect top-corner shot for a goal:

It was Marchand's first goal of the series, although he has made headlines in other ways. His assist also ended up being a key to help the Bruins grab a third win in the round.

Boston will now get a chance to close out the series in Game 6, set for Monday at 7 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

Report: Brad Marchand Won't Be Disciplined for Punching Scott Harrington in Head

May 1, 2019
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 21: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins waits for play to resume against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Bruins defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand reportedly isn't expected to be punished for punching Scott Harrington in the back of the head at the end of Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported Marchand won't receive "supplemental discipline" after the NHL reviewed the incident. 

The incident occurred late in the third period after Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky froze the puck to stop play. Officials were trying to break up a skirmish in front of the net when Marchand took an unprovoked cheap shot against Harrington. 

No penalty was called on the play, and it's unclear if the officials saw it happen because they were engaged with other players at the time. 

Columbus head coach John Tortorella told reporters after the game he wasn't going to comment on Marchand. 

"I am not giving you my thoughts," Tortorella said. "I don't need to give any thoughts on that. You guys can come up with something there."

The Blue Jackets were able to hold on for the win after Matt Duchene scored a power play goal midway through the second period for a 2-0 lead. 

Marchand and the Bruins will try to even the series at two games apiece with a win in Game 4 on Thursday night.

Zdeno Chara Agrees to 1-Year Contract Extension with Boston Bruins

Mar 23, 2019
Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara during an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

The Boston Bruins announced Saturday that they have signed 42-year-old defenseman Zdeno Chara to a one-year extension.

The official announcement detailed that Chara's new contract is worth $2 million with up to $1.75 million in performance-based incentives. 

Chara has been the NHL's longest-tenured captain since 2017, as he has worn the "C" for the Bruins since arriving in Boston in 2006. Chara has led the Bruins to the postseason in nine seasons since then, including a Stanley Cup to cap off the 2010-11 season. 

So far this season, Chara has appeared in 55 games and scored four goals. 

Prior to arriving in Boston, Chara was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NHL draft (56th overall) by the New York Islanders. He spent four seasons there before the Ottawa Senators acquired him in a trade on Nov. 9, 2001.

After his extension was announced, Chara addressed the media and stated he's "grateful" to remain a Bruin and talked about how much his teammates mean to him: 

Several of those teammates lauded Big Zee ahead of the team's game against the Florida Panthers on Saturday night, including fellow defender Brandon Carlo, who was born the same year Chara was drafted by the Islanders. 

"I've really looked up to him my first three years here," Carlo said, per the team's Twitter. "He's given me so much guidance on and off the ice. I've learned so much from him." 

Watch full comments from defenseman Charlie McAvoy, center Charlie Coyle and general manager Don Sweeney below: 

Entering Saturday night's game, Boston holds second place in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division with a 45-20 record and 99 points. 

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