Rask Back at Practice After Scare in Nashville

BOSTON - Tuukka Rask knows he dodged a bullet.
The goaltender was back on the ice for Friday afternoon's practice after leaving the Bruins' 2-1 loss to Nashville Thursday night in the first period. Rask took a wicked slap shot from Roman Josi to the neck area and was helped to the dressing room by trainer Don DelNegro.

"It was a heavy shot, caught me right in the neck," Rask said after Friday's session at Warrior Ice Arena. "Had to catch my breath a little bit and make sure it doesn't swell up so I can breath. It was fine. Just straight in my neck."
The puck also caught part of Rask's jaw, forcing him to go through the concussion protocol. The netminder said the blow was worse because he turned his head.
"I designed the helmet so that the jaw is longer than usual; I try to protect my Adam's apple as well as possible," said Rask, who expects to be ready to play on Saturday against Philadelphia.
"When you turn your head sideways you kind of expose that part of your neck and muscle there. I'm not too worried about it…a tough break."

Beleskey Returns to Practice

Matt Beleskey skated with his teammates Friday for the first time since suffering a right knee injury Dec. 3 in Buffalo.
The forward skated alongside Frank Vatrano, David Krejci, and David Backes. Beleskey, though, is not ready to return to game action.
"He's just starting," said Julien. "He's not even allowed to take contact right now."

Krug Heating Up

Torey Krug has scored a goal in each of the team's last two games after not having scored since Nov. 10. The blueliner has produced at least one point in nine of the Bruins' last 11 games, and since Dec. 22 is tied for fifth in the NHL in points (12) and second in the NHL in assists (10).
"I feel like I've been playing this way for a while now. Now it seems like pucks are going in and you need that luck sometimes," said Krug. "Try to take the same approach and make sure that my teammates can count on me every time I jump over the boards and they know what they're getting out of me. Just taking that approach has been successful for me recently."
Both of Krug's goals have come on the power play, making his offensive surge that much sweeter.
"When you see the puck going in," he said, "whether it's directly in from my stick or it gets tipped by one of my teammates, it's nice to see - especially our power play - us get rewarded like."

Blidh Takes First Penalty

Anton Blidh has taken on the identity of an energy player during his first season with the Bruins. The winger has provided a jolt on the fourth line, bringing physicality and a bit of agitation with each shift.
Through 15 games, however, Blidh had not taken a penalty. That streak finally came to an end on Thursday night when he was issued a five-minute major for interference on Nashville defenseman Roman Josi.
"I tried to play hard and finish my check," said Blidh. "I hope he's OK, I don't want to hurt him."
"He's kept his emotions in check…he's played with an edge, but within the rules, and that's what you want him to do," added Julien.
Blidh paired up with Kevan Miller after Friday's practice and took some pointers on fighting. He has just two career fights, with both coming last season in Providence.
"I want to protect myself. Of course I need to stand up for myself," said Blidh. "I want to play my game, but I can't take stupid penalties. I don't want to put the team in a bad position."

Miller Remains Out

Colin Miller, who left Tuesday night's game in St. Louis late in the third period after a collision in front of the Bruins' net, was the lone player not on the ice for practice. Julien said Miller would not play on Saturday against Philadelphia. The defenseman also missed Thursday's game in Nashville.

Practice Lines

Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Frank Vatrano - Matt Beleskey - David Krejci - David Backes
Tim Schaller - Ryan Spooner - Riley Nash- Jimmy Hayes
Anton Blidh - Dominic Moore - Austin Czarnik
Zdeno Chara - Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug - Adam McQuaid
John-Michael Liles - Kevan Miller
Joe Morrow
Tuukka Rask
Zane McIntyre