Cassidy clarifies Chara and Grzelcyk’s status for Game 5

We are on the verge of seeing the definition of a true solder in action tonight as the Boston Bruins take on the St. Louis Blues. 

On Tuesday, a report from The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford indicated that Bruins captain Zdeno Chara suffered a broken jaw in Game 4 in St. Louis after taking a shot to the mouth from Blues centre Brayden Schenn early in the second period. 

While he did return to the bench in the third period, he did not play a shift in the final frame, with head coach Bruce Cassidy saying post-game after the team's captain was “advised not to return” to the game.

Things looked grim these past few days as many expected Chara to miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup final, however, Cassidy revealed this morning that his captain is a game-time decision for tonight’s pivotal game. 

Chara took part in the team's optional skate ahead of Game 5 on Thursday sporting a full-face visor. Many expected the giant defenseman to be in uniform tonight. 

Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk also took part in the optional on Thursday wearing a regular black jersey and coach Cassidy also made him a game-time decision for the contest later tonight. 

“We’ve always said that if they’re skating, they’re getting closer," added Cassidy. 

Grzelcyk has been out since Game 2 after taking a hit from St. Louis' Oskar Sundqvist, who was suspended one game by the league's Department of Player Safety.

This will be one for the ages tonight in Boston.