Forward Nathan Horton practiced with the rest of his Boston Bruins teammates at United Center on Friday, showing no major signs he’s hobbled by what reportedly is a serious shoulder injury.
Bruins coach Claude Julien said Horton remains day to day.
“If he feels good, he's in the lineup,” Julien said. “Simple as that.”
Horton left the ice in obvious pain in the first overtime of Wednesday’s Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and did not return as the Chicago Blackhawks scored a 4-3 victory in triple overtime.
Game 2 is Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Chicago.
Though the Bruins have been mum on the extent of Horton’s injury, Boston radio station WEEI reported Thursday night he has a separated left shoulder that eventually will require surgery. The injury reportedly occurred during an April 20 fight with Penguins forward Jarome Iginla.
At practice Friday, Horton spent time on the top line with Milan Lucic and David Krejci before getting shuffled around.
“It was a positive thing that he was able to come out and skate here today,” Lucic said. “He’s going to do everything in his power to play. He wants to play, and hopefully he can play (Saturday).”
Horton, 28, was not made available to reporters. A Bruins spokesperson said he would address the media after Saturday’s pregame skate.
Tyler Seguin filled in on the top line after Horton went down fighting for position in front of the net with Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson in Game 1. Seguin also skated with Lucic and Krejci at Friday’s practice.
Horton (18 points), is the NHL’s second-leading scorer this postseason, trailing only Krejci (23).
