Bruins’ Zdeno Chara Expected to Return for Game 1 of Stanley Cup Finals

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara in 2018
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara in 2018. Photo by Daniel Lea/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9942831n)

It looks like Boston Bruins will have their captain Zdeno Chara back for the Stanley Cup Finals opener after all. Chara was sidelined with an undisclosed injury on Thursday in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against Carolina Hurricanes, but Bruins still managed to win the game and close out the series 4-0.

“He is dealing with an injury,” – Bruins’ head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters of Chara. “This time off will help him, and I believe he’ll be ready to go in Game 1, whenever that is.”

“We don’t think it’s serious, but I have said that before about some of our guys and found out later (it was)… I believe he will be ready to go next round,” – Cassidy added.

Despite being 42-years-old, Zdeno Chara remains an important part of Boston Bruins’ rotation. He played 62 games during the regular season and contributed with five goals and nine assists.

Chara was also featured in every game in the playoffs, except the Game 4 against the Hurricanes, and has one goal and two assists to his name.

Bruins now await the winner of the Western Conference Finals, which saw the clash of San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues. The current result of the series is 2-1 for the Sharks.