Boychuk/By S. Bradley

With the trade deadline looming in a few hours, the Bruins practiced today at Ristuccia Arena.

Defenseman Johnny Boychuk, rocked by a Chris Neil hit Saturday, was absent. So was winger Shawn Thornton, who missed Saturday’s game because he was “sick,” although the vagueness of the Bruins’ info on Thornton leads one to believe there might be more to his absence than a flu bug.

Andrew Bodnarchuk, who was demoted to Providence (AHL) Sundasy, was recalled today along with forward Max Sauve. For Sauve, this is his first recall to the NHL during the regular season.