Wingels ‘questionable’ for Game 2 after Kadri hit

BRIGHTON, Mass – Tommy Wingels wasn’t on the practice ice on Friday morning as the Bruins went through a full skate at Warrior Ice Arena and he's “questionable” for Game 2 Saturday night after being the victim of a dangerous hit by the Maple Leafs' Nazem Kadri.

The Toronto forward is facing a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday afternoon after getting bounced from the Leafs' 5-1 loss with a five-minute major for charging along with a 10-minute misconduct.

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“Wingels is still being evaluated by doctors today,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “He’s obviously not out on the ice for that reason. Tomorrow we’ll get a better read on him, but I’d say he’s questionable for now. I wouldn’t rule him out, but we’ll see in the morning.”

Kadri launched himself at Wingels as the Bruins forward was on his knees against the boards and drove Wingels' head into the dasher as he charged full-force into him at impact. It’s expected that Kadri is going to get at least a one-game suspension for the hit and it could be more depending on the health of Wingels.

After the game, Kadri attempted to justify the hit by saying it was in retaliation for a Wingels high hit on Mitch Marner, but that kind of reasoning isn’t going to fly with the long arm of the NHL law.

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“Initially I just thought he made contact with Mitchy's [Mitchell Marner] head to start, and I didn’t see a call there,” said Kadri. “He was turning up the wall, so I was coming into the hit, and then he ended up falling. It happened pretty quick, and I think he was reaching for the puck. I haven't really watched it yet, but I don't think I stuck my leg out or my arm out. Whatever the case is, but it’s in the hands of the NHL at this point.”

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The Bruins switched things around a little bit at practice without Wingels. It looks as if Ryan Donato will get to make his playoff debut if Wingels can’t play. Donato filtered in as the third-line left wing along with Noel Acciari and David Backes. Danton Heinen was dropped to the fourth-line right wing with Tim Schaller and Sean Kuraly.

Riley Nash skated with the team in a non-contact jersey and is “progressing well” while not appearing to be an option for Saturday night. Nash met with reporters after practice and admitted that his ear was hanging off after it was hit by a Torey Krug shot in a late-season game and he needed 40 stitches to close up the wound. He also said he was suffering from concussion symptoms as well.