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Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will dress in Game 5 with a broken jaw
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- Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will dress in Game 5 with a broken jaw
It looks like Zdeno Chara will compete with a broken jaw in Game 5. (Getty)
A non-contact sweater at the morning session, clues in remarks he had to hand-write for the media, his walk through the underbelly of TD Garden. All indications were that Zdeno Chara would be in the lineup for the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final despite suffering a broken jaw just three days ago.
Now it's official.
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Boston's captain was green-lit for the game after a deflected shot from Brayden Schenn fractured his face in Game 4. His insistence on returning to the bench in that contest was emblematic of his legendary leadership capabilities — even if he didn't play another shift, or speak another word.
But mere presence won't be enough in Game 5. Though Chara is unable to speak or open his mouth, he will be in gear. And that means he will be active.
Again, with a broken jaw.
The captain's role, and how effective he can be with a just bubble protecting his compromised jaw, remains to be seen. However with Matt Grzelcyk confirmed out, there are few options when ceding shifts if Chara does indeed struggle with the pain, or the pace, even with a seventh defenseman dressed in Steven Kampfer .
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Regardless, he will inspire his teammates, and certainly the fans, in Thursday's all-important swing Game 5. From the moment he's announced as part of the starting lineup.
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