BOSTON (AP) The Latest on Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final (all times local):
12:45 p.m.
Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara says he is no different than any other player gutting it out in pain during the playoffs and isn’t thinking about risking further damage to his face.
Chara took a puck to the face in Game 4 on Monday night against St. Louis and did not return to the ice. It wasn’t known if he will play in Game 5 on Thursday night.
Chara answered two questions and the Bruins’ media relations staff transcribed them and sent them to reporters.
In one answer, Chara said: ”At this time of the playoffs, everyone has injuries and there are challenges that you have to overcome to play. I’m no different than any player on either team.”
Asked how he weighs the risk of further injury when deciding whether to play, Chara said: ”You don’t think about that. You think about playing. You don’t go into a game thinking you might get hurt.”
The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2.
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11:55 a.m.
Bruins defensemen Zdeno Chara and Matt Grzelcyk are being called game-time decisions to play against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Boston coach Bruce Cassidy would not confirm Chara and Grzelcyk will take warmups ahead of Thursday night’s game. Each player was on the ice for the morning skate. Chara sported a full face shield, and Grzelcyk was in a regular visor.
Chara took a puck to the face in Game 4 on Monday and did not return to the ice. Grzelcyk is eight days removed from being concussed on a hit from Oskar Sundqvist that led to the Blues forward being suspended for Game 3. Team doctors must clear him to play.
Cassidy says the team doctor also must give Chara approval to play.
The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2.
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Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno
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More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
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