Moore on Zdeno Chara practicing: ‘The guy is a legend for a reason'

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BOSTON – Zdeno Chara took the ice for Thursday’s morning skate at TD Garden and went through his workout with what’s been reported as a broken jaw just three days after the injury took place midway through Boston’s Game 4 loss in St. Louis. He gave written responses after skating with the team with a full face shield in place to protect his injured face, and is being termed a “game-time decision” by the Bruins ahead of Thursday night’s Game 5.

It seems quite obvious he’s not going to be able to talk to his teammates if he does indeed suit up and play with what the B’s termed “a facial injury” on Wednesday, but his presence spoke volumes about his captaincy, his leadership and his legacy 13 years in with the Black and Gold.

It would seem like a fait accompli that an indestructible warrior like Chara is going to play after going through all the motions at morning skate on Thursday, but his Bruins teammates said they were inspired no matter what happens in a pivotal Game 5. His mere presence conjured up images of every legendary Stanley Cup playoff story where an injured warrior overcomes the odds, and shows unimaginable toughness in playing through a painful, normally debilitating, injury.

“That’s toughness. That’s leadership. Just his presence out there,” said John Moore. “He’s such a great leader and such a great teammate. Just his presence here is a lift for everyone. The guy is a legend for a reason. His toughness, his leadership and just being out there this morning puts it all on full display.”

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It certainly brings to mind Patrice Bergeron soldiering through Game 6 in the Stanley Cup Final with a punctured lung, and Mark Recchi gutting it through a Bruins playoff series with a kidney stone attack during the game.

Some questioned just how much Chara’s presence gave the Bruins a lift when he was on the bench for the third period of the Game 4 loss in St. Louis, and the B’s certainly didn’t play like an inspired bunch with a whimpering four shots on net during an ultra-physical game.

But it was clear how much the 6-foot-9 defenseman’s presence means to the Bruins after an awe-inspired dressing room full of teammates paid tribute to him following his appearance at the morning skate ahead of Game 5.

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