They don't play until Saturday but here's a quick update on the walking wounded...
Bruins exercise caution with Lapointe
Thursday, February 7, 2002
WILMINGTON - No one could ever accuse Martin Lapointe of being a slacker.
The Bruins winger did not miss a game in his last two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and, over the past five years, has missed only 12 games due to injury.
That's not a bad track record, considering Lapointe's rugged style of play. With only three games left before the Olympic break and the Bruins coming up on a chance to do some real damage in the playoffs, Lapointe wants to be cautious with the hamstring strain that knocked him out of consecutive wins over Montreal and Columbus after one period of each contest. The strain also forced Lapointe out of the lineup entirely for Tuesday night's 2-2 tie with Buffalo.
``Walking around doesn't bother me. It's skating when I'm bent over, with the stops and starts and in tight quarters. So we've got to be smart about it,'' said Lapointe, who received treatment yesterday while the team held an optional workout at Ristuccia Arena. ``There's only three games left before the Olympic break. I won't say no about Saturday's game (against Florida at the FleetCenter), but if I go out and play one period, what good does it do? It just sets me back.''
Lapointe originally hurt the hamstring several years ago while with Detroit, and the winger said that there usually comes a time during the season when the injury flairs up. This year's flair-up occurred when Lapointe overextended his left leg as he was falling to the ice.
He gave it a go in the first period in Columbus on Monday, but had to leave.
When Lapointe does return, he wants to be able to play his physical, grinding style. He doesn't want to put his team in the position of having to play a man short if he can't finish a game.
That's not to say he's enjoying his time on the shelf in the least bit.
``Me sitting in the press box doesn't go over too well,'' said Lapointe.
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Bruins notes
P.J. Stock most certainly won't be back until after the Olympic break. Stock was scheduled to undergo surgery today at Mass. General Hospital to repair his cheekbone.
Stock suffered the injury in a fight with Buffalo's Rob Ray on Tuesday night. Just how long he'll be out should be more clear after the procedure is completed.
A likely candidate to assume Stock's role would be Dennis Bonvie, who leads Providence (AHL) with 259 penalty minutes. . . .
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Kyle McLaren will reach another milestone in his recovery from wrist surgery today when he has the cast removed from his right arm. He hopes to start skating over the weekend and return mid-March.
``You come in, do your work, watch the team and talk to the guys a little bit, but it's not the same,'' said McLaren. ``I want to be a part of what's going on here. Unfortuntely I can't be right now. . . . But I've found a way to stay positive, knowing I'll be coming back stronger and healthier.'' . . .
With Lapointe out, defenseman Hal Gill wore an assistant captain's `A' on Tuesday.
``It was kind of a surprise. My wife (Anne) thought it was in honor of her,'' joked Gill. ``But I don't think we have the type of team where it's even fair to put it on anyone. We have a team that's all stepped up at different points and every player deserves it.''
Bruins exercise caution with Lapointe
Thursday, February 7, 2002
WILMINGTON - No one could ever accuse Martin Lapointe of being a slacker.
The Bruins winger did not miss a game in his last two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and, over the past five years, has missed only 12 games due to injury.
That's not a bad track record, considering Lapointe's rugged style of play. With only three games left before the Olympic break and the Bruins coming up on a chance to do some real damage in the playoffs, Lapointe wants to be cautious with the hamstring strain that knocked him out of consecutive wins over Montreal and Columbus after one period of each contest. The strain also forced Lapointe out of the lineup entirely for Tuesday night's 2-2 tie with Buffalo.
``Walking around doesn't bother me. It's skating when I'm bent over, with the stops and starts and in tight quarters. So we've got to be smart about it,'' said Lapointe, who received treatment yesterday while the team held an optional workout at Ristuccia Arena. ``There's only three games left before the Olympic break. I won't say no about Saturday's game (against Florida at the FleetCenter), but if I go out and play one period, what good does it do? It just sets me back.''
Lapointe originally hurt the hamstring several years ago while with Detroit, and the winger said that there usually comes a time during the season when the injury flairs up. This year's flair-up occurred when Lapointe overextended his left leg as he was falling to the ice.
He gave it a go in the first period in Columbus on Monday, but had to leave.
When Lapointe does return, he wants to be able to play his physical, grinding style. He doesn't want to put his team in the position of having to play a man short if he can't finish a game.
That's not to say he's enjoying his time on the shelf in the least bit.
``Me sitting in the press box doesn't go over too well,'' said Lapointe.
=====
Bruins notes
P.J. Stock most certainly won't be back until after the Olympic break. Stock was scheduled to undergo surgery today at Mass. General Hospital to repair his cheekbone.
Stock suffered the injury in a fight with Buffalo's Rob Ray on Tuesday night. Just how long he'll be out should be more clear after the procedure is completed.
A likely candidate to assume Stock's role would be Dennis Bonvie, who leads Providence (AHL) with 259 penalty minutes. . . .
=====
Kyle McLaren will reach another milestone in his recovery from wrist surgery today when he has the cast removed from his right arm. He hopes to start skating over the weekend and return mid-March.
``You come in, do your work, watch the team and talk to the guys a little bit, but it's not the same,'' said McLaren. ``I want to be a part of what's going on here. Unfortuntely I can't be right now. . . . But I've found a way to stay positive, knowing I'll be coming back stronger and healthier.'' . . .
With Lapointe out, defenseman Hal Gill wore an assistant captain's `A' on Tuesday.
``It was kind of a surprise. My wife (Anne) thought it was in honor of her,'' joked Gill. ``But I don't think we have the type of team where it's even fair to put it on anyone. We have a team that's all stepped up at different points and every player deserves it.''
