Chara keeps answers short, conserves energy for Bruins’ Game 4

Chara/By S. Bradley

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Five days removed from being hospitalized for dehydration, Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara looked energetic on the ice at the USA Rink at the Whiteface Lake Placid Olympic Center today.

After more than an hour of practice drills, however, Chara kept his answers short and monotone during a brief meeting with the media that didn’t seem to enthuse him much.

When asked about his condition, Chara said: “I’m feeling much better.” A follow-up about whether he had to continue to monitor his illness — widely reported as a virus — the captain offered the same answer: “I’m feeling much better.”

The Bruins prevailed in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with Montreal Monday night to cut the Canadiens’ lead to two games to one. It was Chara’s first game played after missing Game 2 and also his return to Montreal for the first time since his March 8 hit on Max Pacioretty at the Bell Centre is behind him.

But the defenseman didn’t seem to care that all that hoopla is now in the past.

“Like I said, I did approach it just like any other game,” he explained. “And I don’t see why I should change.”

That was the longest answer to any questions pertaining to his own play or well being.

If Chara is still a little ill, you can give him credit for taking questions and not ducking his obligations. But you also don’t have to worry that dealing with inquiries the day before Game 4 might’ve worn him out. He obviously has plenty left in the tank after his brief stop off on the way out of the rink.