The Boston Bruins will be without Zdeno Chara tonight in Ottawa, but they could get Kevan Miller back.
Head coach Claude Julien said this morning that Miller will be a game-time decision. The 29-year-old defenseman has yet to make his 2016-17 debut. He had hand surgery on Oct. 11, two days before the Bruins opened their season.
If Miller does play, it will likely mean another game in the press box for Colin Miller. The 24-year-old has been a healthy scratch the past four games. He has one goal and one assist in 15 games, with a minus-6 rating.
As for Kevan Miller, tonight could mark his first game for the Bruins since signing a four-year, $10 million extension. Last season, the 29-year-old set career highs in NHL games played (71), goals (5), assists (13), and average ice time (19:04).
It was not all roses for the undrafted University of Vermont product. That Miller had to play such a large role became emblematic of the Bruins’ issues on the right side of their defense, and he heard it from the fans at times. In the end, among Boston d-men, only Chara and Torey Krug logged more ice time than Miller.
This season, the surprising play of rookie Brandon Carlo has alleviated some of the concerns about the right side. But Carlo will be tested tonight without Chara as his partner. The 19-year-old will likely skate with veteran John-Michael Liles, while Krug is expected to pair with Adam McQuaid, and Joe Morrow will be with one of the Millers, probably Kevan.
