33 Zdeno Chara D

Bruins' Zdeno Chara: Posts team-worst minus-2 in huge loss

Chara and Brandon Carlo were the two defenders charged with controlling the Capitals' potent power play, as they were the only two blueliners to see more than 2:30 shorthanded. The 41-year-old managed to block two shots and add two hits but could not slow down Washington's skaters. Last season, Chara led all Bruins defenders in plus-minus with a plus-22 over 73 games.

Bruins' Zdeno Chara: Healthy for training camp

Chara, 41, is not the dominant force he once was but remains a valuable leader in the Bruins dressing room and is still capable of logging heavy minutes -- he averaged just under 23 minutes of ice time in 2017-18. Barring injury, he'll continue to get plenty of chances to produce in all situations in 2018-19.

Bruins' Zdeno Chara: Played through finger and shoulder injuries

Chara's injuries didn't prevent him from logging key minutes during the Bruins' postseason run, but the blueliner's finger issue, coupled with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, didn't help his cause. Chara believes that he won't need surgery to address his finger issue, noting that it should heal up in about six weeks. Meanwhile, offseason rest and management should allow his shoulder woes to abate. The 41-year-old should thus be good to go in time for next season's training camp. Though Chara has lost a step at this stage of his career and is no longer a power-play mainstay, the 6-foot-9, 250-pounder remains a strong shut-down defender, as evidenced by the plus-22 mark he logged through 73 regular-season games, while notching seven goals and 24 points.

Bruins' Zdeno Chara: Returns to action

The Bruins' captain and shut-down blueliner logged a team-high 2:56 worth of penalty-killing duty in his return from a nine-game absence, while taking his regular shift on a pairing with Nick Holden. Looking ahead, there's a solid chance that Chara will be reunited with his usual defensive partner Charlie McAvoy (knee) as soon as Tuesday night's road game against the Lightning.

Bruins' Zdeno Chara: Back in business

The return of Chara, who last suited up March 13, arrives at a good time, with fellow defender Brandon Carlo now sidelined with what has the looks of a long-term lower-leg injury. Though Chara may have lost a step at this stage of his career and no longer sees regular power-play duty, his conditioning, veteran savvy and long reach help him remain a strong shut-down defender for the Bruins. To date, he's logged seven goals and 23 points to go along with a plus-26 mark over the course of 68 games.