Bruins defenseman Chara returns to practice

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara returned to practice Tuesday, two days ahead of the season opener against the Winnipeg Jets.

"I'm not looking at Thursday," Chara said in comments tweeted by the Bruins. "It's day-to-day. I'm looking forward to [Wednesday] practice. My goal is to be better than I was today."

Bruins coach Claude Julien said it was a good sign Chara was on the ice and that he'll continue to be evaluated after each on-ice session.

The veteran defenseman has been day-to-day because of an upper-body injury sustained during a preseason game against the New York Rangers on Sept. 24. He had been skating prior to practice last week.

Chara, 38, had eight goals and 20 points in 63 games last season. He missed seven weeks with a torn ligament in his left knee.