VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Center Dave Bolland wouldn’t call it a setback, but he said his recovery from a concussion has been a “slow process.”
Bolland was ruled out for Game 2 Friday against the Canucks, after it looked as if there was a slight chance he’d return to the lineup for the first time since March 9.
“Some times you feel great, some times you don’t feel as great,” Bolland said after skating Thursday at Rogers Arena. “It’s going through therapy and everything is a slow process. I want to be back soon.”
Bolland also is getting treated for whiplash, which he suffered when Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina elbowed him in the back of the head. He said he still has “stiffness” in his neck. Bolland continues to get massages and see a chiropractor for it.
The plan is to continue to skate, which Bolland said makes him feel better for getting his “heartbeat up.” But he doesn’t know when he’ll be cleared for contact.
Bolland is trying to stay positive.
“I’ve talked to [mental skills coach James Gary],” Bolland said. “He’s great. He’s always keeping me positive and not letting me veer off on that path, getting into the negative route. ‘This isn’t good. I’m not coming back. When is this going to change? What’s going to happen here?’ With me, just being in that positive mind will help as well.”
Bolland thinks he’s overcome the worst already.
“I sat around for two and half, three weeks,” he said. “It was probably the worst thing I’ve ever done. … You do nothing. You can’t watch TV. You can’t text any of your friends. You can’t do anything. That’s the worst thing about this is sitting around and waiting. You can’t go outside. You go outside, there’s sirens and the horns and everything is moving. You just want to run back in your house, get back in there. ”
Other injury news
Tomas Kopecky (upper-body injury) is “doubtful” for Game 2, coach Joel Quenneville said.
Kopecky played just 2:22 against the Canucks Wednesday, leaving the game after getting hit by and tangled with defenseman Keith Ballard.
Ryan Johnson is “fine,” Quenneville said, after enduring an awkward knee-to-knee hit late in Game 1.
Fernando Pisani will likely take Kopecky’s spot in the lineup.
