Huge Boost: Jim Montgomery Provides Report On Bruins Forward Entering Game 4

Danton Heinen practiced with the Bruins at Warrior Ice Arena on Saturday, his first since Game 5 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The veteran, who had missed the previous five Bruins postseason games due to an undisclosed injury, skated on a line with Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic and returned to the second power play unit, according to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa.

Following practice, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery provided an update on Heinen’s likely return for Game 4.

Montgomery stated in a team-provided video that “Heinen appears to be … we’ll know more tomorrow for sure.” “See how he responded to practice, but that’s the best he’s looked in practice.”

Throughout the five postseason games he played, the 28-year-old forward averaged 15:21 minutes of ice time, including substantial time on the penalty kill. He told reporters after practice that he couldn’t wait to get back into the game.

“I feel great. So, if I can go tomorrow, I’m hopeful,” Heinen said following the Bruins’ practice. “That’s the most difficult thing, watching the guys go into war and not being able to help. It’s much harder to observe than to fight. “It’s tough.”

Boston’s penalty kill had been one of the Black and Gold’s most effective, going nearly perfect 28-for-30 before the Bruins allowed four Florida power-play goals in Game 3.

With Bruins captain Brad Marchand out with an upper-body injury sustained on a dubious hit by Panthers winger Sam Bennett that caused Marchand to exit Game 3 before the start of the third period, Heinen’s return would help cover the penalty kill vacuum.

Boston will seek to even the best-of-seven series with Florida in Game 4 on Sunday. The puck drop at TD Garden is planned for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TBS, with NESN providing an hour of pre- and postgame coverage.