Bergeron Set to Make Return to Game Action vs. Islanders

NEW YORK - After missing the last three games with a head injury, Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron will return to the lineup on Thursday night against the New York Islanders. The B's top centerman was a full participant in Wednesday morning's practice at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers.
"Looked good, ready to go. So, he should be in [Thursday]," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
Bergeron was injured eight days ago when he was tangled up with Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and fell awkwardly into the boards at TD Garden, which led to a laceration that required stitches on the back of his head.

"I knew I was close, but I did not think it was that close [to the boards]," said Bergeron. "Honestly, thought it was a bit more in the middle [of the ice] than that. But it is kind of a bad spot to fall that close to the boards. You're not close enough for your back and the rest of your body to hit the boards."
The pivot added that he did not suffer a concussion but still needed to allow the swelling on his head to diminish before returning to action.
"I felt good…it was more a matter of taking the time with the cut," said Bergeron. "I think the team as well, the trainers, wanted to make sure everything was back to normal before I was heading back on the ice in games…taking the time for the swelling to go down…extra precaution with the doctors and all. I appreciate that obviously."
Given that he has a history of concussions, including one that nearly ended his career in the fall of 2007 after he was hit from behind into the boards by Philadelphia's Randy Jones, Bergeron wanted to be certain that there were no lingering effects to his head, particularly at this stage of his career.
"It wasn't one of those [injuries] where I needed to really think about it," the 36-year-old said when asked if the injury forced him to think about the future of his career. "You want to make sure as an athlete - you want to do the right thing on the ice and play as hard as you can but also you think about your future as well and want to be smart that way.
"That's also why I think we took the extra time to make sure it was really feeling great."

As he did earlier this season when Brad Marchand was serving a three-game suspension in November, Bergeron centered Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak during Wednesday's skate. Erik Haula, meanwhile, bumped down to man the middle between Jake DeBrusk and Nick Foligno.
"Obviously, Pasta and Taylor do have that great speed on the wings," said Bergeron. "I think it's one of those things where you try to send them and create something out of nothing. Many times they like to have the puck on their stick…so for me, I think it's more trying to get open, try to generate chances for them to get it…trying to read off of my wings as much as possible."

Marchand to Appeal

Marchand joined his teammates for practice on Wednesday in New York just a few hours before the scheduled appeal of his six-game suspension before NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman at the league's headquarters in Manhattan. The winger has served three games of the ban, which was levied by the league's Department of Player Safety for roughing and high-sticking on Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry on Feb. 8.
"I know it's this afternoon. I don't know how long it typically takes," said Cassidy. "I'm sure there's a precedent out there, but hopefully it goes in his favor."
When asked to make his case for why Marchand should have his suspension reduced, Bergeron said that while he agreed with his longtime linemate about crossing the line during the incident, he does not believe the actions warranted a six-game banishment.
"I think he understands that he might have gone too far a little bit that way…I guess the heat a moment got the best of him," said Bergeron. "That being said, I don't think it deserves a six-game suspension…even on the other side, I don't think [Pittsburgh] thought that it deserved a six-game suspension.
"I understand he's got a history. Understand all that…maybe it is a suspendable play because of that. But that being said, I don't think it is a six-game suspension. That's what would be my argument, you look around the league and I don't think the same type of plays have had that stiff of a punishment."

An Enduring Friendship

Speaking to the media for the first time since the retirement of longtime teammate Tuukka Rask, Bergeron said that he was saddened to see the netminder hang up the skates after battling through a lengthy rehab process following summer hip surgery. But after some 15 years together, Bergeron knows that their relationship will carry on beyond the game.
"It was hard to see him go through all of it and battling his way back and working extremely hard to feeling good enough to be back on the ice and practicing and playing with us," said Bergeron. "And for him to realize that, you know, the journey - not the actual injury, but lingering stuff is coming back and he's not able to play to where I think his standards are and where he's been his whole career is, it's tough. As a friend, it's tough to see.
"But that being said, I think we should really feel so fortunate for what he's done to the organization. For me, I know that to have a friend like him I'm grateful thankful for all the time that we spent together and wish him all the best looking forward.
"I know we will be friends. He was over the house not too long ago and we had some great discussions…I know the friendship is going to carry on, for sure."

Wait, There's More

• Linus Ullmark will make the start between the pipes on Thursday night against the Islanders. "Ullmark will play [Thursday] and we'll then decide Saturday [against Ottawa]," said Cassidy. "I don't know if we're going to practice Friday. That may determine how we approach it Saturday, but right now Ullmark's the one [on Long Island]."
• Urho Vaakanainen, out for the last four games with an upper-body injury, practiced alongside Derek Forbort on Wednesday and could return to the lineup on Long Island. "Vaak may go in, that's a decision we will mull over today and decide if he's ready," said Cassidy.

Wednesday's Practice Lineup

FORWARDS
Taylor Hall - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Nick Foligno
Anton Blidh - Tomas Nosek - Curtis Lazar
Brad Marchand - Jack Studnicka
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Reilly - Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk - Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort - Urho Vaakanainen
Jack Ahcan - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman