The Chicago Blackhawks are hopeful to have their captain Jonathan Toews in the lineup for Game 6 after participating in the morning skate with the team Monday in TD Garden.
Toews sat out the third period of Game 5 after hitting his head on the ice after taking a hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk late in the second period in Game 5 on Saturday.
"Johnny is doing much better [Sunday,]" Coach Joel Quenneville said at TD Garden. "He's progressing. We're optimistic he'll play [Monday] night."
According to a league source, the NHL decided not to suspend Boychuk because he didn't extend his elbow or launch and did not target Toews' head or make it the principal point of contact.
"I'm pretty sure it was clean," Boychuk said. "He was cutting to the net, and I came across and read it and hit him. ... I'm going to try and play physical. If he's going to drive the net, like he's supposed to, I'm going to try and hit."
Toews played 18 shifts and saw 12:56 of ice time in Game 5, recording assists on both of Patrick Kane's goals. Toews has two goals and 10 assists in 22 playoff games this season.
As the Blackhawks are hopeful for Toews' return in Game 6, the Bruins haven't ruled out Patrice Bergeron for Game 6 and are reportedly "encouraged" by the news he received on the injury moving forward.
Bruins coach Claude Julien said he is optimistic that Bergeron would be able to play Monday against the Blackhawks following a undisclosed body injury during Game 5 in the second period.
"I don't know if he'll skate tomorrow -- he may. And that's what day to day is. Again, I'm trying to be as clear as I can here."
Julien added:
"He's a guy that's day to day, and day to day is really good news to me anyway."
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