Playmaker Savard excited about return to Bruins

WILMINGTON, Mass. (AP) -Marc Savard is excited about playing in the Boston Bruins next game after missing the past 24 recovering from a concussion.

The star playmaker even said Wednesday he might try to make contact with opponents early just to feel involved.

Savard is ready to return for the Bruins next game in the opener of the second round of the playoffs. It will be against Pittsburgh if Washington beats Montreal in the seventh game of their series on Wednesday night. It will be against Philadelphia if Montreal wins.

Savard has been sidelined since taking a blindside hit from Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke on March 7. Boston's leading scorer the past three seasons said he expects to be eased into the lineup and get time on the power play.