Yelle

BOSTON — After missing five games with an upper-body injury suffered as a result of an awkward fall against Chicago March 7, Boston Bruins center Stephane Yelle is expected to be back in the lineup tonight at TD Banknorth Garden against the Los  Angeles Kings.

Yelle was one of nine players to take part in an optional  morning skate at the Garden.

“It’s never easy (being out),” said Yelle, “but at the same time it gives you a chance to look from a different perspective. But I’m ready, so …”

And what did Yelle see from that different perspective?

“Just little things, like we’ve talked about the last couple days — being consistent, doing the little details of the game, night in and night out. We have 11 games left and that’s what our focus needs to be,” he explained.

Tim Thomas was the first goaltender off the ice, so do with the information what you want. Thomas has started five straight games in net. We’ll know later which forward will come out to make room for Yelle and which six of the eight Bruins defensemen will get to dress.