Acciari Takes Another Step Towards Return

BOSTON - Noel Acciari is closing in on a return to the lineup. The hulking winger skated with the team for the second straight day on Saturday morning and is aiming to be back in game action on Sunday night in New Jersey, according to Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
Acciari has been sidelined for the last six games with a lower-body injury.

"Each day's gotten a lot better, feeling a lot better," said Acciari. "Excited to get back…excited for the guys - keep doing what they're doing, keep winning games and when I jump back in I want to be able to help with that."
The 25-year-old, who has become one of the league's most feared body-checkers, admitted that he tried to play through the ailment for the last couple of months, but reached a point where he believed he was hindering the team by not being able to skate at full steam.
"It was bothering me quite a bit. It was diagnosed probably a couple months previous, but fought through it," said Acciari. "I couldn't be my usual self, getting first on the forecheck, throw a hit. It was a more defensive role, trying to read the puck, just wasn't playing my style.
"But it got to a point where I didn't want to hurt the team. It was best for the team to take a break to get that all fixed up."

Miller Skates

Kevan Miller skated on his own before morning skate and is "progressing well," according to Cassidy. Miller has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury.
"He won't play today or tomorrow, but he's getting better," Cassidy said. "I would say next week is better [for a return], whether it's Tuesday or Friday. We do have a quiet week, as far as NHL scheduling goes for February. It's a little bit odd, but does benefit some guys that are working their way back.
"We've listed him as day-to-day. I think that's accurate because he's progressing, but everyone has their own timeline."

Saturday's Projected Lineup

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen - Riley Nash - David Backes
Tim Schaller - Sean Kuraly - Austin Czarnik
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
Anton Khudobin