David Krejci will join Bruins on west coast trip, but Brad Marchand, Anders Bjork questionable

Veteran forward David Krejci has missed 10 games with a back injury and he's inching closer to returning to the lineup. He practiced with the team but was wearing a red no-contact sweater on Monday at Warrior Ice Arena.

The Bruins will face the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. He's expecting to participate in a full-contact practice on Tuesday and said he will return to the lineup on this trip, barring any setbacks.

"I'm planning to play at some point on this trip," Krejci said.



Despite criticism, Krejci prides himself on playing as many games as possible and this injury, especially this early in the season has been frustrating.

"I've been fortunate enough to not miss many games during the regular season in my career, but sometimes it happens and it's frustrating, especially early on in the season. You work so hard during the summer and then you only play six games and now you're pretty much back to where you started. I'm feeling better now. I've put all those negative thoughts behind me a long time ago. I'm just ready to be back with the guys."

It's a good sign that the veteran center is ready to return, but the Bruins don't know the status of forwards Brad Marchand and Anders Bjork, both of whom did not practice with the team on Monday. Bruce Cassidy said both were "nicked up" during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden. They will not travel with the team Monday afternoon to Anaheim, but could still join the team on Tuesday.

Marchand returned to the lineup Friday night after missing two games with a concussion. Bjork was on the receiving end of a massive collision with the Maple Leafs' Matt Martin during Saturday's game. Bjork was able to finish the game

Also, Noel Acciari did not practice with the team on Monday, but is expected to rejoin the team in Anaheim. He'll attend the services of his close friend and former Providence College teammate, Drew Brown, who passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 25.

"Our condolences go out to the Brown family and to Noel," Cassidy said. "Even trying to play (Saturday) night I give him credit. Everyone grieves differently and it'll be up to Noel. We'll give him as much time as he needs."

If Marchand, Bjork and Acciari are able to play on Wednesday, having Krejci back in the lineup will allow coach Bruce Cassidy to create more of a balanced lineup. Due to the lack of scoring, Cassidy has been forced to load up the top line with Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak. When Krejci returns to game action, it's likely he'll be reunited with Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk.

It would make sense that Bjork would rejoin Marchand and Bergeron too.

"There are a lot of ifs," Cassidy said. "We'll see what we have on Wednesday morning. I would like to have all six at our disposal and then be able to sort it out. That would be a nice problem to have."

Because there are so many lineup questions, the Bruins have recalled Kenny Agostino and Peter Cehlarik from Providence on an emergency basis.

Krejci on his road back: