BOSTON — For every bit of good news the Boston Bruins get on the injury front, they gave to swallow a large dose of bad news.
On Thursday, the Bruins learned centre Patrice Bergeron passed a neuro-psych test, which means he will soon be able to take part in practices with the team. He has missed 66 games with a concussion and it looks like he could play at some point in the NHL playoffs if the Bruins hang on to the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.
However, the Bruins also found out their second-leading goal-scorer, winger Chuck Kobasew, is out from four to eight weeks with a fractured tibia. He was hit above the left ankle by a slapshot from teammates Zdeno Chara in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kobasew appeared on crutches in the Bruins dressing room after their morning skate in preparation for Thursday's rematch with the Leafs. He said he can only hope to get back into the lineup closer to the low end of the doctor's forecast.
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"Any time you get in front of a slapshot there's a risk," he said. "Usually, it's just a stinger. You walk it off and the next shift you get back out there.
"This is very disappointing, especially at this time of year."
Kobasew's spot in the lineup will be taken by Peter Schaefer, who was a healthy scratch for the last five games. Schaefer came to the Bruins last summer from the Ottawa Senators in a trade for forward Shean Donovan and spent a good part of the season in head coach Claude Julien's doghouse. He has eight goals and 23 points in 57 games.
Also out for the Bruins are centre Marc Savard (back) and defencemen Andrew Ference (knee) and Andrew Alberts (concussion).
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