Bruins' Bergeron, Blackhawks' Toews hope to play in Game 6
Two key players -- Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks -- were injured during the Blackhawks' 3-1 victory over the Bruints on Saturday night in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Bergeron was taken to a Chicago hospital during the third period with an undisclosed injury. He was released Sunday and was cleared to travel back to Boston with the team.
Bruins coach Claude Julien did not rule out Bergeron for Monday's Game 6, according to ESPN.com. A source close to Bergeron told ESPNBoston.com he is optimistiche he'll be able to play Monday.
"Patrice was discharged from the hospital Saturday night and will be flying home with the team this morning," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said Sunday.
Blackhawks captain Toews sat out the third period with an upper-body injury after taking a hard hit to the head area on a check on Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk midway through the second period.
Toews will be evaluated Monday morning and the Blackhawks are hopeful that he'll be available to play in Game 6 on Monday night in Boston.
"Johnny is doing much better," Blackhawks coach Joe Quenneville said Sunday at TD Garden in Boston. "He's progressing. We're optimistic he'll play (Monday) night."
Bergeron's injury occurred late in the first period. He attempted to return to the ice in the second period but lasted only two shifts for 49 seconds.
Sportsnet reported that Bergeron might have injured his spleen. Bob McKenzie of TSN said Sunday that report wasn't valid.
"It's just an injury that wasn't able to let him finish the game," Julien said. "He may be in next game. I'm not going there."
If Bergeron is not able to return for Game 6, it would be a huge loss for the Bruins. He leads the team during the Stanley Cup Final with four goals and 19 shots on goal.
Toews sat on the Chicago bench during the third period as the Blackhawks took a 3-2 lead in the series. He had assisted on Patrick Kane's goals in the first and second periods.
The hit on Toews, who has two goals and 12 points in the playoffs, was reviewed by the NHL and on Sunday it was learned no supplemental discipline would be handed down for the apparent blow to the head.
"I'm pretty sure it was clean," Boychuk said.
