Brad Marchand returns to practice with Bruins

Injured Bruins forward Brad Marchand (soreness from Dec. 16′s P.K. Subban hit) made a step Sunday toward his eventual return to the lineup when he skated with teammates in practice for the first time since leaving last Saturday’s game vs. Washington.

Marchand had skated with fellow injured Bruin Mark Stuart (hand) on Thursday morning, but Sunday marked the 22-year-old’s first full practice with the team since the Washington game. The undersized winger was in the lineup for the bout with the Capitals but left in the second period after feeling too uncomfortable from Subban’s hit on him two days prior.

Coach Claude Julien told reporters on hand for Sunday’s practice in Wilmington that the team has yet to determine whether he’ll be able to go on back-to-back days, as the Bruins will face the Panthers on Monday and the Lightning on Tuesday.

The uncertainty over Marchand’s status is also tied to the other Bruins news of the day. The fact that Milan Lucic will not be suspended after receiving a match penalty on Thursday night means the team could play Daniel Paille in Marchand’s place without having to call up an extra forward for the team’s five-game road trip.