BOSTON – Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference (lower-body injury) was back on the ice this morning before the team held an optional game-day skate at TD Garden.

Bruins coach Claude Julien said Ference is progressing, but he won’t play tonight and won't make the trip to Long Island when Boston faces the Islanders on Friday. Julien did say there’s a possibility Ference could return to the line on Tuesday in Columbus.

Ference has missed six games since suffering the injury on Feb. 26 in Vancouver.

Fellow Bruins defenseman Steven Kampfer (concussion) suffered a setback on Wednesday with his rehab. He rode the stationary bike on Wednesday for the first time since suffering the concussion on March 3 against the Lightning. After the workout on Wednesday, he started to get a headache.

“I feel good. I feel better. I felt good on the bike and all the protocol went well, but [Wednesday] night got a bit of a headache, so I had to report that this morning,” explained Kampfer. “It’s frustrating at times, but we’re going to try it again tomorrow and see how I feel.”