Carlo, Lauzon Return to Practice as B's Get Back on the Ice

BOSTON -There was good news all around for the Bruins on Wednesday night as the club returned to the ice after a five-day shutdown that followed five players entering COVID-19 protocols last week in Buffalo.
In addition to David Krejci, David Pastrnak, and Craig Smith being removed from the COVID list, the Black & Gold also had blue liners Brandon Carlo, Jeremy Lauzon, and Jarred Tinordi, wingers Trent Frederic and Zach Senyshyn, and goalie Tuukka Rask back from injury and skating with the group for a rare evening practice in Brighton.

"I thought they looked good, energized," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "It's just with that amount of time off, it's always difficult to recover in game. So [on Thursday night], we've got to manage our shifts well, don't get stuck in those bad spots in your own end for extended periods of time, killing the penalty where you're out there the whole two minutes, stuff like that.
"That can really empty the tank in a hurry, make it tough to recover, so that's what we're looking at. And then you're playing three in four days, so you want to make sure that you do recover well to be able to practice efficiently Friday and then get back out there Saturday, Sunday. So that's kind of the game plan and we'll see how it all plays out."
Following their latest round of test results, the Bruins got word on Wednesday afternoon that they would be allowed back into the facility at Warrior Ice Arena for a 7 p.m. skate ahead of Thursday night's tilt against the New York Islanders. With 28 games to go - exactly half the regular-season schedule - Cassidy opted to use the skate as the unofficial kick off of the second half and offer his group a fresh start after the pause.
"I'm an optimist. We're back at work. We weren't sure, Monday, Tuesday, how this was going to play out. Here we are," said Cassidy. "It was a little bit of an unknown there for a few days. Good part is we're back to work. Everyone is feeling good. I think as a team, even addressed this with the group, we're at the halfway point. I think [we're] a solid hockey team. We are like a lot of teams; we do some things very well and some things we have to keep building into our game."

Still Sidelined

While Boston got three players back from being in COVID protocols, Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk remained sidelined and will not be available for Thursday's game. Kuraly was the first player to enter protocols last Thursday morning with DeBrusk - as well as Krejci, Pastrnak, and Smith - joining on Friday afternoon.
"Well listen, no one's happy," Cassidy said when asked how the duo was feeling mentally and physically. "They're missing time. They're isolated. I don't think there are any threats there health-wise. They're young guys, they're healthy. They just have to do their time and make the best of it while they're off and be ready to go when they get back."

Rask's Return

Rask, who has not played since March 7 due to an undisclosed injury, was a full participant on Wednesday night and could be back between the pipes against the Islanders if he makes it through the morning skate without any adverse effects.
"Tuukka felt good today, so, obviously, depending on how he wakes up [on Thursday] - feels good and takes the morning skate… let's get through that first," Cassidy said, falling short of definitively naming Rask his starter for Thursday. "If he's good to go in, he'll go in. If not, it's Jaro [Halak] and then we'll split on the weekend. So, that's how we're looking at it right now."

Blue Liners Back

Carlo skated with his teammates for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury on a high hit from Washington's Tom Wilson - who was suspended seven games for the check to the blue liner's head - on March 5. The 24-year-old was donning a maroon non-contract jersey but appeared to be moving well despite missing the past seven games.
He will not, however, be ready for game action on Thursday night with Cassidy saying the defenseman must participate fully in practice before he gets back in the lineup.
"Until Carlo participates in a full [contact] jersey, we're just speculating," said Cassidy. "He has to go through contact, that's the next phase of his recovery. And when that is, I don't know - could the medical team do it [Thrusday]? Friday? That's the part I don't know. I usually hear later. The player and the medical team will communicate and say if he's ready."
Lauzon, meanwhile, was a full participant some five weeks after suffering a hand fracture during the Bruins' win over the Flyers at Lake Tahoe. The defenseman appeared to be handling the puck without issue, though he, too, is unlikely to suit up on Thursday night.
"For him, it might be how is the strength in his battles, you know?" said Cassidy. "Puck handling is going to take a little bit because he missed some time, wasn't able to hold a stick. But was he able to at least battle to an acceptable level? That'll probably be the determining factor for him.
"Again, until he gets through another practice or two, it's probably speculating. I would guess, simply because he's going through the contact part right now, that he's close."

Cutting It Close

Cassidy did say that Frederic, Senyshyn, and Tinordi were all possibilities to be in the lineup on Thursday night, noting that if all three get through morning skate they could suit up against the Islanders.
Senyshyn has not played since March 11 when he suffered an upper-body injury in his season debut, while Frederic and Tinordi were both injured on the last road trip. Tinordi suffered an upper-body injury in an ugly collision with the boards following a hit from Pittsburgh's Brandon Tanev on March 16, while Frederic was hit with a puck and missed the final two periods of Boston's win over the Sabres two nights later.
"They felt good today," said Cassidy. "They will get through morning skate and we'll make a decision. It will be basically their call after they discuss with the medical [staff], but all of those guys technically are not held back for a medical diagnosis. It's, 'are they ready, do they feel good?' Could be [Thursday], could be Saturday, but they're all very close and could all play [on Thursday]."
Kevan Miller (knee) and Ondrej Kase (upper body) did not practice with the group.

Happy Homecoming

For the first time since March 7, 2020, the Bruins will play before fans at TD Garden when they take the ice against the New York Islanders on Thursday night. The Black & Gold faithful were originally supposed to be back in the building on Tuesday but the B's contest against the Isles was scrapped due to the team's COVID pause.
Last month, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that beginning on March 22 arena and stadiums would be allowed to host fans at 12 percent capacity, meaning there will be some 2,000 people on hand for Thursday's tilt on Causeway Street.
"Definitely excited about that," said Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. "Probably the best news of the week, probably, is that we get to play tomorrow in front of our fans. Looking forward to that. Obviously, it's been a while."
Cassidy is hoping that his club can feed off of the fans' homecoming with a seven-game homestand on tap.
"We've played a lot of road games. The comforts of home hopefully are good to us. Get some fans in the building, that will give you energy," said Cassidy. "I think players are kind of pining for that now. It's been a long time without fans and [having] to create your own energy…the building's I've been in recently with fans, it just seems like it's a little - even though they're not that many - it's just a different atmosphere. It's getting back to the old normal, so to speak."