The Bruins got a few pieces of good news Wednesday evening.
The first is that they were able to return to practice after five days in quarantine, which resulted in two games being postponed. They got the final clearance they needed Wednesday with no new positive tests and hit the ice for a rare 7 p.m. practice.
The second is that three of the five players who were on the COVID-19 protocol list are now off it, as David Pastrnak, David Krejci and Craig Smith were all removed Wednesday. All three were on the ice for practice, according to reporters who were on site.
The third is that Tuukka Rask, Trent Frederic, Jeremy Lauzon, Jarred Tinordi and Zach Senyshyn -- all injured before the COVID pause -- were all on the ice in regular practice jerseys as well, while Brandon Carlo joined his teammates in a non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering a concussion on March 5.
Sean Kuraly and Jake DeBrusk remained on the COVID list and did not practice.
The Bruins are set to host the Islanders Thursday night in their first game with fans in attendance, as they will be allowed 12% capacity -- roughly 2,100 fans.
Pastrnak, Krejci and Smith will all be able to play. Coach Bruce Cassidy had already said Kuraly will be out, and it appears DeBrusk will be unlikely to play as well.
It is unclear if Rask, Frederic, Lauzon, Tinordi and Senyshyn will be ready to play. We could get more clarity when Cassidy talks to the media after practice, so be sure to check back.
Carlo will need to be cleared for contact before returning to full practices and then game action.
UPDATE: Cassidy said Lauzon and Carlo are not expected to play Thursday. Frederic, Tinordi and Senyshyn all have a chance if they get through morning skate OK. Rask will start as long as he feels good Thursday. If he's not quite ready, it'll be Jaroslav Halak in goal.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Thursday's morning skate was canceled for non-COVID reasons. Cassidy said Rask will start in goal while Frederic and Tinordi will both play as long as pregame warmups go well. Karson Kuhlman is in over Senyshyn and Greg McKegg is in over Jack Studnicka.