BOSTON -- The Penguins got an obvious boost when Brandon Tanev returned to the lineup for their 4-1 victory at TD Garden Thursday night.
And while it's far from certain that they'll get a similar one when they face the Bruins again Saturday at 1:08 p.m., it isn't out of the question.
That's because center Teddy Blueger, who has missed the past nine games because of an unspecified upper-body injury, and goalie Tristan Jarry, who had to leave their 2-1 victory against the New York Islanders after one period Tuesday, were full participants in practice Friday at Warrior Ice Arena.
Mike Sullivan declined to say whether either will be in uniform Saturday, but having them take part in all aspects of the 20-minute workout indicates that both are close to coming back.
Sullivan said that Blueger "was full contact, which is really encouraging from our standpoint" because it's the final step before a player is cleared to return. He added that Blueger has not received that medical approval yet, but his involvement in practice "would suggest that he's a lot closer" to playing.
Jarry has missed only one game so far, so there shouldn't be much rust that accumulates on his game, even if Maxime Lagace backs up Casey DeSmith again Saturday, Sullivan declined to predict whether Jarry will have a role in that game.
"We'll make those decisions on a daily basis, so we'll make that decision tomorrow," he said. "We'll see how he responds today."
When Blueger returns, Sullivan will have the option of reuniting him with Zach Aston-Reese and Tanev on what has been an effective blue-collar line, with Blueger playing a key role.
"He's a cerebral player," Sullivan said. "He sees the ice pretty well from both sides of the puck. I think Teddy's overall game has evolved, both offensively and defensively. ... He's gotten some timely goals for us on the offensive side, but he's always been a pretty sound defensive player and I just think he's getting better with the experience that he's gaining."
MORE FROM PRACTICE
• Brian Burke, the Penguins' president of hockey operations, watched the workout from a perch atop the seating area.
• Kris Letang, on the Penguins' successes of late: "It's great that everybody's contributing, whether it's the first or fourth line. Everybody is doing his job really well. And as defensemen, we've been able to bring offense, also. When you get everybody involved and successful, it's a good thing."
• Frederick Gaudreau said he hasn't gotten caught up in the success he's had since entering the Penguins' lineup. "I don't really put my mind to that," he said. "I just try to do my job every day and whatever happens, happens. But it's for sure, fun."