Chara returns to Bruins lineup against Lightning

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara will play Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 p.m. ET; TVA Sports, SN360, SUN, NESN) after missing the first two games of the season because of an upper-body injury, coach Claude Julien announced.

Chara was injured Sept. 24 during a preseason game against the New York Rangers. He missed two months of last season because of a tear in the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sustained Oct. 23, 2014. The Bruins were 11-7-1 in his absence.

Chara had eight goals and 20 points in 63 games last season.

The Bruins assigned defenseman Matt Irwin, who was scoreless in two games this season, to Providence of the American Hockey League.