Bruins Paille Feeling Better, May Play Thursday
BOSTON (CBS) - A little more than a week after being hit in the face by a slap shot, Daniel Paille said he may possibly return to the lineup this Thursday.
Paille took a slapshot to the face off the stick of Islanders defenseman Steve Staios in last Monday night's 6-2 win over New York. The puck hit Paille in the face-shield, preventing any further injury.
He underwent surgery on his broken nose last Wednesday, and managed to join the team just six days later for their morning skate on Tuesday, hours before the Bruins were set to take on the Devils.
"(I feel) a lot better than I did two days ago," Paille said. "The packing came out, so I got a little bit of airway through my nostrils now, so it's a lot easier to breathe out there. It's a bit more comfortable for me out there."
Paille won't take the ice Tuesday night, but could play Thursday against the Blue Jackets.
"I think it's a possibility," said Paille. "It also depends on the coaches, too. I know I'm able to play, but I'm just not quite 100 percent yet, but hopefully in a couple of days I am."
When he does return to the ice, Paille will have to wear a cage over his face.
"The cage, eventually it's just gonna become a habit and I won't even notice it anymore. On the first couple skates, it was a little awkward, you kind of see the lines in between. I think today I felt a lot better with it on and hopefully tomorrow will be even better," said Paille.
One of the team's top penalty killers, Paille has two goals in 13 games this season.
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