BOSTON -- Ryan Donato’s determination to keep pace with his junior year studies at Harvard University while simultaneously breaking into the NHL has justifiably generated some attention.
Donato doesn’t get a break when he’s not studying or attending a class, either. The Scituate, Mass., native has been tossed into crunch time in the Bruins’ season-long battle to establish the best playoff position possible, with virtually [...]
BOSTON -- Ryan Donato’s determination to keep pace with his junior year studies at Harvard University while simultaneously breaking into the NHL has justifiably generated some attention.
Donato doesn’t get a break when he’s not studying or attending a class, either. The Scituate, Mass., native has been tossed into crunch time in the Bruins’ season-long battle to establish the best playoff position possible, with virtually every opponent needing or wanting points as much as the B’s.
“It’s exciting,” Donato said on Thursday morning, before he and the Bruins hosted the Lightning with first place in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference at stake. “I think that by joining at such a time, where the games are hard, it’ll help me develop at a faster rate than if I came in at the beginning of the season.”
Starting with his one-goal, two-assist NHL debut against the Blue Jackets on March 19, Donato -- revealed on Thursday as one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player -- played in four straight games against teams locked in desperate battles to earn a playoff berth. Following road games against the Blues, Stars and Wild, the B’s concluded a four-game road trip against the Jets -- like the Bruins, one of the top five teams in the NHL’s overall standings.
The pre-playoff atmosphere has given Donato more insight into his teammates than he might have gained at a quieter point on the schedule -- as well as how he he has to conduct himself.
“I’m lucky to be around the guys at such an important time of year,” he said. “I really get to know them, know their personalities.
“These guys have played 60-, 70-something games this year. They’ve put so much into it. I just want to be one of those guys who takes everything just as seriously. Although I haven’t been here the entire time, I don’t want to (be) that lack of character on the team, so I’m just going to take everything the way they do.”
TRACKING BACK: Rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy missed his 13th game with a sprained knee ligament, but he was able to join his teammates for the morning skate.
“We’re progressing -- getting better every day, getting closer every day,” said McAvoy, who wore a non-contact jersey. “It’s exciting to be out there, but I’ve got to stay patient.”
McAvoy hopes to play some of the Bruins’ six remaining games to prepare for the post-season, but won’t if there’s any risk of a setback.
“It doesn’t do good for anybody to come back and tweak it, and then who knows?” he said. “That’s not what we’re going to do. We’re going to take the right precautions, and when the time’s right, get back out there.
“Hopefully that (means) playing some games before the regular season is over. That’s my goal -- get in, get acclimated, get in the swing of things, and then when playoffs come around, I’ll be ready to go.”
AROUND THE BOARDS: Captain Zdeno Chara and rookie winger Jake DeBrusk, both sidelined by upper body injuries, went through Thursday’s morning skate without restrictions, and coach Bruce Cassidy said they’re “looking like Saturday, Sunday-ish,” possibilities to return to the lineup. Forward Rick Nash’s upper body injury, however, caused him to miss his sixth straight game, and continued to keep him off the ice. “He’s improving daily,” coach Cassidy said. “I saw him (Thursday) morning; he was working out...When he gets back on the ice, we’ll be able to better judge whether he makes it into the playoffs Opening Night or not.” … Rookie center Sean Kuraly (upper body) missed his first game of the season, leaving linemate Tim Schaller and winger David Pastrnak as the only Bruins to play every game to date … Matt Grzelcyk’s inability to finish Tuesday’s game at Winnipeg after being boarded by Josh Morrissey prompted the B’s to recall defenseman Tommy Cross from AHL Providence on an emergency basis, but Grzelcyk was able to play … Providence College recruit Jay O’Brien of Hingham and Thayer Academy, a highly-touted prospect in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, was the male recipient of the Bruins’ John Carlton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the top player in a school or junior program in Eastern Massachusetts.