Savard Shoots for Return Vs. Sabres

Boston Bruins star center Marc Savard is shooting for a return next week vs. Buffalo. Savard has been out since early January when  he suffered a knee injury vs. Chicago.

It looks like Savard will not be out until the Olympic break after all, which is good news for the Black & Gold. Savvy has been Boston’s top point producer since his arrival in 2006. Savard said that “I feel good and I am right on schedule.” He skated for the second time yesterday, and is inching towards getting back into uniform. Savvy’s injury originally had a prognosis of 3-4 weeks, so his return vs. Buffalo would right in that 3 week timetable.

Marco Sturm, Steve, Begin, and Byron Bitz will all miss tonights game vs. Columbus accordin to ESPN. The Bruins are still trying get healthy, and Savvy talked about how they were so healthy last year. The Ontario native also said “this could be a blessing in disguise, because we are getting everyone back at the end of the season.” The Bruins did not have many injury problems last year which helped propel them to that best record in the Eastern Conference last night.

Boston did not have many injury problems last year during the season, but when the playoffs came around they were very banged up. Several players including Phil Kessel and David Krejci needed surgery right after the season ended for example. Since so many players were hurt at the end of last year, being hurt early could be good in the end for Boston. That’s really only if they can get healthy and pull it together though before the season concludes.

Tuukka Rask was the first off the ice today in practice, which indicates that he will start tonight vs. Columbus. Rask is currently second in the NHL in GAA and SV%. Rask’s stats are also better than Tim Thomas’ so far this season.

Thomas continues to have an up and down year, so this start is important for Rask. The Finish native needs to show he deserves the starting job. Rask has the potential to be the starting goalie for the Bruins, but the biggest question really has to be is he ready? Rask is a rookie getting his first full season in the NHL this year. Remember when the Canadiens traded Cristobal Huet to let coveted prospect Carey Price take over the starting job? Price has since struggled much since, and he is battling Jaroslav Halak some nights for starts.

*Adam McQuaid was sent down yesterday after being called up for practice.

The Bruins lines in practice were these according to the Boston Globe: