Said Eriksson, “I think so, I think that’s the plan [to play], but we still won’t know until tomorrow. I’ve been skating a lot now lately and I’m feeling good. I’m feeling ready to get going.”

“He’s getting closer, but there’s more to it than just saying, ‘OK, you’re physically ready,’ ” coach Claude Julien said. “We’ve got to make sure that in his mind he’s ready to go.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Bruins are listing Loui Eriksson as “questionable” for Saturday night’s game against the Sharks in San Jose, but the winger believes he’s ready to return after being out five weeks with a concussion.


Eriksson practiced on a line with Ryan Spooner and Carl Soderberg Friday at the SAP Center, yet another indication that he will return on the third line.

If Eriksson needs more time, said Julien, the Bruins will give it to him. But Eriksson made it sound as though that would not be the case. While he hasn’t taken serious contact, he said, he has taken some bumps in practice.

“No big hits, but it’s definitely a little bit tougher the last two days,” said Eriksson. “People have been around, doing more battling.

“Really excited to get going. Feels like it’s been a long time now. It’s tough sitting up in the press box watching the game all the time. You want to be in there, playing.”

Boychuk returns home

Johnny Boychuk has flown back to Boston for “personal reasons,” according to Julien. He will not return to San Jose for Saturday’s game. Kevan Miller is expected to take his place in the lineup . . . Zdeno Chara went down near the end of practice, and looked to be in some discomfort. He apparently took a “slash in a bad spot,” Julien said later. Chara is expected to be fine for the game against the Sharks.


Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @amaliebenjamin.