BOSTON — The Bruins were able to sweep Carolina in the Eastern Conference final without captain Zdeno Chara.
Now they’re hoping 10 days off before the start of the Stanley Cup Final will be enough time for the defenseman to return.
The title round begins May 27 when Boston will face San Jose or St. Louis, with that conference final 2-2. The Bruins completed their sweep Thursday with Chara out with an undisclosed injury.
“We have a lot of time to make the absolute right decision to give him the proper time to get over something that’s been nagging him,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Saturday. “And we’ll cross our fingers that will be the case. But we’re confident it will be.”
Sweeney stopped short of guaranteeing Chara’s return for Game 1.
“I’m not living in how or where Zee feels. I expect he’ll be fine,” Sweeney said. “But I’m not going to sit here and make a proclamation in terms of promises. I do believe that time will be used effectively and he’ll be fine. But sometimes those are out of your control.”
Defenseman Kevan Miller and forward Chris Wagner are doubtful for Game 1 of the Final. Miller hasn’t played since April 4 because of a lower-body injury. Wagner injured his right arm blocking a shot in Game 3 against Carolina.