44
BOSTON — Nik Antropov expects to be back in the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup tonight, while captain Mats Sundin says his presence is only a possibility.
Both forwards took part in the Leafs practice yesterday before the team left for Boston to finish a home-and-home series against the Bruins. The Bruins beat the Leafs 6-2 on Tuesday to destroy Toronto's NHL playoff hopes.
Antropov, who missed four games with a knee injury, said yesterday he felt good after practice. A final decision on whether he will return to action will not be made until after the game-day skate today.
Sundin said he was not sure if he would be able to play, adding he also would make a decision after today's skate.
Related Articles
The Bruins may get one of their defencemen back for the game, but may still be missing top forwards Marc Savard (back) and Chuck Kobasew (ankle).
Andrew Ference, who sprained his knee last weekend in a game against the Montreal Canadiens, might be able to play. Bruins head coach Claude Julien said the veteran blueliner will be re-evaluated today.
Kobasew will also be re-evaluated by the Bruins medical staff today. Savard has a cracked transverse process, a bone in his back, and is not expected to play.
If the Bruins hang on to eighth place (which they currently occupy) in the Eastern Conference and make the playoffs, it looks as if centre Patrice Bergeron and defenceman Andrew Alberts, who are both recovering from concussions, will be able to play at some point.
Bergeron has missed 66 games since being hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Randy Jones.
Both players took part in practice yesterday and said they feel much better. Bergeron plans to take a neurological test of his mental reactions today as the next step in his recovery.
"I feel good," Bergeron said. "I'm taking it day-by-day and we'll see what happens."
In Pictures:
