Horton practices ahead of Game 2 as Bruins' top line looks to keep rolling against Blackhawks

CHICAGO — If Nathan Horton is unable to play in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals, the Boston Bruins think Tyler Seguin will be a more than adequate replacement.

With David Krejci at center, Boston's top line is always dangerous.

The trio of Horton, Krejci and Milan Lucic combined for the first two goals in a 4-3 triple-overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals Wednesday night. It was the continuation of a terrific postseason for the three veterans, who also helped the Bruins win the title two years ago.

Horton, who was sidelined for the last part of the 2011 postseason by a concussion, left the series opener against Chicago with an unspecified upper body injury, but he practiced Friday and appears to be on track to play Saturday night.

"We'll have to make a decision on him tomorrow," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "It was encouraging to see him out there today. If he feels good tomorrow, he's in the lineup, simple as that."

If Horton is unable to play, Seguin likely would move up to the top line. He filled in for Horton after he left Game 1, and had a handful of prime chances to lift Boston to the victory.

Whether it's Horton or Seguin playing with Krejci and Lucic, the Blackhawks know they have to do a better job of defending that line.

"It's going to be a fun challenge to play against them again tomorrow and see how it goes."

Hjalmarsson was wrestling with Horton in front of the Chicago net during a Boston power play in the first overtime when the wing skated off with the injury. It appeared to be a serious problem at the time, since Horton decided at that pivotal moment that he was unable to continue.

But Horton managed to practice on the eve of Game 2 and didn't appear to be inhibited in any way. He was not made available to the media, but just his presence at practice seemed to provide a lift for the Bruins.

"It's great. He's a big part of this team and really missed him in the overtime after he went down," Krejci said. "So it's good to see him back on the ice."

Krejci and Horton each had an assist when Lucic beat Corey Crawford for the first goal of the series in the first period. Krejci set up Lucic in the second, and he fired it into the net for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

"I just think we're going out there and having fun and we're moving the puck well," Lucic said. "We're shooting it when we get those opportunities. We're skating well. We're doing good things on the forecheck and the offensive zone, and also we've been able to play pretty sound defensively. That is kind of the transition into our success for our line."

The 27-year-old Krejci is the engine behind that success. The gifted center has a deft touch and a knack for creating opportunities for his teammates. He has at least 23 assists in each of the last five years, including a career-high 51 in the 2008-09 season.

Krejci also is a proven playoff performer. He had 12 goals and 11 assists during the 2011 title run. His considerable skill is a major reason why Julien isn't concerned about who plays alongside him in Game 2.

"He's a pretty smart player," Julien said. "He just wants players to move and he finds them. I don't think it's a big challenge for David. I don't think it's a big challenge for whoever plays with him. All you got to do is the right thing: Get open and he'll find you."

When it comes to defending Boston's top line, Chicago wants to improve in a couple of areas. A missed check by Hjalmarsson played a role in the first goal in the series opener, and Lucic was open again for his second score.

Many of the line's rushes led to action in front of Crawford, who finished with 51 saves. He also is planning on making adjustments for Game 2.