ST. LOUIS - Bruins captain Zdeno Chara met with the media following practice on Saturday afternoon for the first time since taking a puck to the face in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The 42-year-old was able to speak softly, but was clearly hampered by the facial injury that he played through during Boston's Game 5 loss.

Chara seems to have come out of that game - during which he played roughly 16 minutes - without any further issues and was a full participant during Saturday's on-ice session at Enterprise Center. The blue liner was once again wearing a specialized shield on his helmet.

"I feel fine playing," said Chara, who answered three questions during the press conference. "Obviously it was a quick turnaround after last game here, but I felt fine…there is no limitations. I'm still able to play…I'm trying to always eat as much as I can, keep my nutrition up."

BOSTON - One week after taking a violent hit to the head in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk joined his teammates for practice on Wednesday afternoon at TD Garden.

The 25-year-old blue liner has been in protocol since the smack from St. Louis forward Oskar Sundqvist - who was suspended one game for the hit - causing him to miss both games in St. Louis.

Grzelcyk, donning a maroon non-contact jersey, did not participate in every drill, but appeared to be in good spirits as he smiled and joked with his teammates. When the Charlestown native did join in, he seemed to be moving without hesitation and also took his familiar place on Boston's second power play unit towards the end of practice.

ST. LOUIS - The last thing John Moore wanted was to see one of his fellow blue liners go down with an injury in the Stanley Cup Final. But with Matt Grzelcyk doubtful to suit up for Game 3 against the St. Louis Blues after taking a heavy hit from behind in Game 2, the veteran defenseman may be getting his chance to re-enter the lineup.

"I really [wish] that Grizz was still here and I wasn't even talking to you guys," Moore said following practice at Enterprise Center on Friday afternoon. "It's terrible to see a teammate go down like that…this is why you train, why you prepare, why you take care of yourself.

"When you're called upon, it's time to do your job. That's kind of the mentality we've had all year - next man up. Now it's my turn, I'm ready to go"

BOSTON - The Bruins' defense corps could be shorthanded as the Stanley Cup Final shifts to St. Louis. According to coach Bruce Cassidy, Matt Grzelcyk is "in protocol" and listed as day-to-day after being drilled into the end boards from behind during the first period of Game 2.

In the corner to the right of Tuukka Rask, Grzelcyk was facing the glass as he tried to play the puck behind the net, when Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist laid into the blue liner, making forceful contact with his head and back.

BOSTON - If you've been following the social media accounts of Zdeno Chara and Tom Brady over the last few weeks, you've no doubt noticed what appears to be a developing bond between the two Boston legends.

It was never more evident than on Monday morning, when the two teamed up for a Stanley Cup Final hype video prior to Game 1. The minute-long video, narrated by Brady and posted to Chara's Instagram and Facebook pages, featured highlights of the Bruins throughout their postseason run and combined the catchphrases of both athletes - Chara's "We Are Made for This" and Brady's "Still Here."

BOSTON - Chris Wagner made his way to the interview room just like the rest of his teammates on Sunday afternoon, donning his Stanley Cup Final cap and sweatshirt while answering questions from the assembled media.

But there was one difference. The winger will not be on the ice when the Bruins kick off their Cup quest on Monday night against the St. Louis Blues.

During the final minutes of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, Wagner put his body on the line by blocking a Justin Faulk slapper with his right forearm, leaving him in what appeared to be excruciating pain as he made his way back to the Boston bench.

BOSTON - David Krejci, who missed Thursday night's scrimmage with an illness, was still under the weather on Saturday and did not take part in practice at TD Garden. Cassidy said that he anticipates the center will be back on the ice for Sunday's session.

"Precautionary," said Cassidy. "I suspect we'll see him tomorrow. That is the plan. If he's not out tomorrow, now there's a little bit of worry there. But right now, I believe he'll be practicing tomorrow."

BOSTON - David Backes spent the first 10 years of his National Hockey League career in St. Louis, the final five as the team's captain. Along the way, he made friendships that will last a lifetime - minus the next three weeks.

The Blues clinched their spot in the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks and will take on the Bruins - and Backes - for the ultimate prize beginning on Memorial Day.

Thus, the pleasantries and well wishes that have become commonplace will be put on hold.

BOSTON - Zdeno Chara was back on the ice with his teammates on Monday morning at Warrior Ice Arena for his first full practice since sitting out Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final with an undisclosed injury.

"It was nice to be out there again, skated [on Sunday] then skated with the team," said Chara. "It was a good practice, good pace. I'm taking it one day at a time. [Tuesday's] an off day, but get back at it on Wednesday."

BOSTON - After two days off following their Eastern Conference championship, the Bruins got back to work on Sunday morning at Warrior Ice Arena with their first practice ahead of the Stanley Cup Final.

Boston hit the ice for nearly an hour and will be back at it on Monday for another practice, before another likely day off on Tuesday.

"They are a group that likes to work, so I think they were happy to get back out there," said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. "We have a plan, how we're gonna go through the week, balancing practice with days off. We are gonna meet with the veteran guys that have been through it, see how that jives."