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Bruins Notebook

Bruins’ Wade Redden seems closest to return

Wade Redden put in his work in an attempt to help bolster Boston’s injury riddled corps of defensemen.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Bruins coach Claude Julien said injured defenseman Wade Redden, who skated with the team in Saturday’s practice at TD Garden, would likely be a game-time decision for Sunday afternoon’s Game 2 against the New York Rangers.

The status of injured defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, who skated before practice with strength and conditioning coach John Whiteside, remained uncertain.

Julien, however, seemed to rule out Andrew Ference, another injured blue liner who did not skate with the team Saturday.

“I don’t anticipate [Seidenberg] being ready for [Sunday], but with the injury he’s got, you never know,” said Julien. “As far as Ference is concerned, he hasn’t skated yet so he won’t be in there tomorrow.’’

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Redden, meanwhile, put in his work in an attempt to help bolster Boston’s injury riddled corps of defensemen.

“It was good to get back out on the ice again and be with the guys and be a part of a practice and starting to feel better,’’ said Redden, who did not play in Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime victory in Game 1 because of an undisclosed injury.

If Redden is cleared to play, the veteran likely will displace one of the three youngsters — Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton, or Matt Bartkowski — who stepped up admirably in Game 1 and logged significant ice time in the absence of Seidenberg, Ference, and Redden.

“Oh, they were great,’’ Redden said. “The young guys stepped in and played strong. I mean, obviously Big Z [captain Zdeno Chara] led the way. He’s been carrying the weight, a lot of it. I think it’s just a group going out there and getting it done. No matter who’s dressed, you’ve got to have that same attitude.’’

Redden was asked if there was an added sense of urgency to get back with the defense so undermanned.

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“Obviously, the urgency is there, but it’s just a matter of being patient, making sure it’s going to be good to hold up,’’ Redden said. “You’ve got to know in your head if you’re ready and that’s all it comes down to. Obviously, guys play through pain but you’ve got to make sure you’re not out there and dinged up again because then you’re shorthanding the team.

“In my mind, I want to make sure that I’m able to go, before I’m ready.’’

Is it catching?

Julien said he didn’t have to envision Patrice Bergeron’s line catching fire in this round of the playoffs.

“I think it’s already happened,’’ the coach said. “When you look at Bergy’s line, Bergy himself scoring two goals in Game 7 [of the quarterfinal series against Toronto].

“Again, setting up that winning goal [Thursday night] and the chances; I thought they spent a lot of time, they cycled the puck well in the offensive zone. I think it’s already happening.’’

Julien, however, expressed the hope that energy would spread to Chris Kelly’s line.

“If anything, I’m hoping that Kells’s line will find that groove, as well,’’ Julien said. “They’re the next one on the list to hopefully get that. If they do that, then we’re going to be that much better.’’

Leading men

Through eight playoff games, David Krejci ranks as the leading scorer in the playoffs with 5-9—14 totals. Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin also has scored 14 points in eight games, but he has only three goals in that stretch . . . Chara leads all defensemen in playoff scoring with 2-8—10 totals.

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Michael Vega can be reached at vega@globe.com.