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After missing the last three games of the Boston Bruins’ first-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup playoffs, star winger David Pastrnak could be close to returning.
According to head coach Bruce Cassidy, Trophy winner Maurice Richard on Tuesday skated in training again for the third day in a row and even did a few combat drills.
And while Cassidy has said his status for Wednesday night’s Game 5 is still questionable, the update he offered on Pastrnak is promising.
“Better than them,” Cassidy said of how lucky Pastrnak was to make his comeback Wednesday night.
“He skated today, succeeded in his training, did some combat exercises. Part of that will depend on how he feels in the morning, if there is a residual effect. And then we’ll make a decision. The other day we thought he had an outside chance. Now I would give better than that. So we will have to make a decision in the morning. The four-hour game is tough. You go seven or eight, you can test it in the morning. That will be the challenge for the medical equipment, but if we think it’s 100% – no risk of further injury, it will be in alignment.
Pastrnak was named “unfit to participate” after the series opener against the Hurricanes, where the Bruins won 4-3 in overtime thanks to a winner from Patrice Bergeron.
Bergeron and Brad Marchand were both absent from practice on Tuesday, but Cassidy expects the veteran duo to be active for Game 5.
“I predict Bergy and March will be fine for tomorrow,” Cassidy said.
Of course, with a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series, the Bruins have some leeway not to rush anyone.
Still, with a win on Wednesday, Boston would send off in the second round.
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