Hamilton has been out of the lineup since Dec 8 and should return to productive minutes for a depleted Bruins defense.

Hamilton has been out since December 8 and missed the last nine games. The Bruins are depleted on the blueline right now, so it is a good-sign to have Hamilton return to practice. He was expected to miss 2-4 weeks and it has almost been three, so he is likely to return to the lineup sometime in the next week.

The Bruins defenseman continue to drop like flies as now they are down to just five healthy defensemen. Hamilton play just 5:58 before leaving Sunday's game vs. the Maple Leafs. The Bruins are unsure if Johnny Boychuk will be available tonight. Unless someone is recalled soon, the Bruins will play with five D-men if Boychuk can't go.

Bruins head coach Claude Julien thinks that Hamilton will miss at least a week, "we'll see what the outcome is there but, right now, it doesn't seem like he's going to be playing with us probably this coming week. It doesn't look good as far as - the diagnosis on him was he's probably done for at least a week." The Bruins are hopeful that Johnny Boychuk will be available tomorrow at Calgary, if he is not then they will need to make a roster move.

Hamilton appeared to be injured following a collision with Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Gunnarson. The injuries continue to pile up for the Bruins who are already without defensemen Adam McQuaid and Johnny Boychuk and lost forwards Loui Eriksson and Chris Kelly last night. It has been a rough weekend for the Bruins in terms of health.

The Bruins blueline is loaded with depth, this is likely just a move to get Bartowski some playing time. Hamilton has no points through three games.

Hamilton appeared in three games in the first round. He posted no points and averaged 15:09 time-on-ice in three games.

With Andrew Ference getting suspended in Game 1, Hamilton will enter the lineup in Game 2. Hamilton had five goals and 11 assists in 42 games in his rookie season.

Claude Julien usually does not like to use rookies in the playoffs so this is no surprise. Tyler Seguin only appeared in 13 of the Bruins 25 games in their 2010-11 Stanley Cup run.

Dougie isn't quite ready for prime-time fantasy but if you have him keep him on the bench.

Hamilton and Lucic did not take pregame warmups.

Dougie draws back into the lineup

Those counting on the rookie to man the Bruins' powerplay will have to wait until Monday's game as the Bruins prep for a playoff push.

We knew McQuaid was going to play but not who was going to come out. Dougie Hamilton will watch tonight from the press box. He has four goals and 11 assists in 39 games.

With Seidenberg missing todays game it looks like rookie Dougie Hamilton will get a chance to play with Chara. This is a great opportunity for the young defenseman if he sees top pair minutes with big Z.

Hamilton has good offensive instincts and if he can score on the Power Play it would make him worth a fantasy roster spot.

Hamilton won't play a minute in the NHL this season but is definitely a name to remember moving forward.