Wilderness Walk: Zd-Oh-No

A major Boston icon who is both highly popular and somewhat controversial took a shot to the head, causing a lot of drama and concern as to his health and well-being.

But enough about Dave Portnoy.

Zdeno Chara’s broken jaw due to a flying puck could be a huge turning point in a tied series, especially if (as expected) the Bruins’ towering defenseman misses the rest of the series. Chara did miss an extended part of the 2018-19 season due to a knee injury, so it’s not like Boston can’t play without him. But his defensive presence in what has been a rough-and-tumble series will definitely be missed with him out of the lineup.

Game five is tomorrow in Boston. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

Wild News

16 days until the NHL draft.

#BecauseItsTheCup

With Chara hurt, Bruins need help on D in Stanley Cup Game 5 - StarTribune.com
The Boston Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final despite a run of regular-season injuries that prevented anyone on the roster from playing all 82 games.

'This matchup is not good with ‘Z’ out, let’s face it': Bruins have to prepare for life without Zdeno Chara - TheHockeyNews
A puck to the mouth sent Zdeno Chara crashing to the ice, kept him out of the contest and might see him miss Game 5 and beyond. How the Bruins handle their injury troubles on the blueline could dictate the winner of the Stanley Cup final.

Have the Blues found the Bruins' achilles heel in the Stanley Cup final? - TheHockeyNews
If you rough the Bruins up while staying on the right side of the law, odds are you beat them. But executing the strategy every game is easier said than done.

NHL notebook: Bruins' Chara reportedly has broken jaw
Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara sustained a broken jaw when hit in the face by a puck in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

Off the Trail

Doc is in: Emrick not slowing down in his dream job - StarTribune.com
The Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues' morning skates are over and a handful of broadcasters have taken the ice to re-enact a play from this bruising Stanley Cup Final.

How a third-line grinder launched the star-filled Oilers to their first Stanley Cup and a hockey dynasty – The Athletic
Arguably the most important goal in Oilers history wasn't scored by Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier or Jari Kurri but by Kevin McClelland.

Down Goes Brown: Want the NHL to just call the rulebook exactly as written? Be careful what you wish for – The Athletic
Rules are rules, and we have to get it right. So just call the rulebook exactly as written. Right?

Erik Karlsson hoping for offers from Senators, Canadiens
San Jose Sharks defenceman Erik Karlsson is expected to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market this summer, and he might be hoping to return to where he rose to stardom.

Blackhawks hire Crawford as assistant coach
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have hired Marc Crawford as an assistant coach on Jeremy Colliton's staff.

NHL draft prospects baffled by Ryan O'Reilly's weird stick
The Blues pivot uses a truly unique twig on the ice -- to the bewilderment of onlookers. But it works for him, as evidenced by two Game 4 goals.