Not even Tommy Wingels, the victim of a hit thrown by Leafs forward Nazem Kadri that resulted in a three-game suspension, had much to say about the NHL’s decision.

Mike Loftus The Patriot Ledger

BOSTON -- For the most part, the Bruins bit their lips and tongues this season when discussing NHL Department of Player Safety decisions that impacted them.

 The Bruins pretty much did the same thing on Saturday, even though the department’s call impacted their opponent.

 Even Tommy Wingels, the victim of a hit thrown by Leafs forward Nazem Kadri on Thursday night that resulted in Kadri being suspended by the league for three games, didn’t say much.

 “I didn’t like the hit,” said Wingels, who was on his knees against the boards when Kadri launched into him, making substantial head contact. “I think I was in a vulnerable spot. I think as a game, as a league, as players, that’s the stuff we don’t want in our game.

 “It was handled, and I think the league did a good job. Now it’s in the past. There’s no more need to talk about it. That’s kind of my comment on it.”

 Wingels, who had to leave Game 1 after Kadri’s hit, skated on Saturday morning but didn’t play Game 2 because of an upper body injury. Ryan Donato made his playoff debut in Wingels’ place.

Wingels’ teammates endorsed the league’s decision but tempered their comments.

 “You never want to see anyone get hit like that,” said center Sean Kuraly, Wingels’ linemate in Game 1 of the Bruins’ first-round playoff series with the Leafs. “It’s a scary moment for us. (Wingels) has been a big part of our team.

 “We let the league make their decision, and they did, and they thought three games was worthy.”

 “I just knew (NHL) was probably going to take care of it,” said defenseman Kevan Miller, “and I think they did.”

 Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy saw the incident itself, and the league’s response, as an example of what can happen when players become too emotional during the playoffs. Kadri, a 32-goal scorer during the regular season, attacked Wingels after Wingels hit Leafs teammate Mitch Marner.

 “Teaching moments for everybody,” the coach said.

 “There will be times, in every playoff series, and every game, where somebody’s going to get frustrated, and they’re going to want to physically assert themselves. You have to make sure you stay in the moment, in the game, what’s acceptable and what isn’t.”

Talking points: Kuraly, one of five rookies in the Bruins’ lineup for Game 1 on Thursday, said the team’s veterans were extremely helpful in preparing newcomers.

 “Some veterans who have been pretty vocal to the young guys, talking about what playoff hockey is like,” Kuraly said. “Letting us live through some of their experiences has helped.”

 Kuraly can actually pass on some playoff experiences, too: He was recalled from AHL Providence late last regular season and got into four first-round playoff games against the Senators. The most memorable was Game 5, which he extended by scoring a goal that sent the game into overtime, before scoring the winner in the second extra period.

 Kuraly did speak about his experience with defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and wingers Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen (all three were teammates last season at Providence), but didn’t go overboard.

 “We’re obviously really close friends, so when we’re kind of just hanging out, we may talk about it a bit, but nothing too serious,” Kuraly said. “ I only played a couple games (in the 2017 playoffs), so I’m really just still trying to learn, and take in what I’m hearing from other guys.”

Around the boards: Kuraly, an Ohio native, said past baseball experience wasn’t a factor when he batted a puck out of the air for the Bruins’ fourth goal on Thursday. “Tee ball -- that was it,” he said. “I’m not a baseball player at all.” … Center Riley Nash, out since sustaining ear and head injuries in a March 31 game against the Panthers, was one of those who participated in Saturday’s optional morning skate. He may be available for Game 3 on Monday at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. … The Bruins announced they’d be donating $200,000 to relief efforts in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, where the community’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team, the Broncos, lost 16 members (players and staff) in an April 6 bus crash. Ten people remain hospitalized, two in critical condition.