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Lucic could be healthy scratch

Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic, healthy scratch? That could be the case Friday when Boston hosts Pittsburgh.

Or maybe that’s just what Bruins head coach Claude Julien wants Lucic to think.

Per CSNNE.com, Lucic was skating on the “fifth line” today at practice.

Lucic played just 10:53 last night on the fourth line against the Sabres -- a demotion for which the 24-year-old is taking full responsibility.

“There are no excuses and there’s nobody to blame but myself,” he said. “I know I can still be a big part of this team and it all comes down to me.”

Lucic has six goals and 18 assists in 41 games. He starts a new, three-year contract next season that will pay him an average annual salary of $6 million.

You’ll recall that the Bruins’ search for a top-six winger prior to the trade deadline (they ended up getting Jaromir Jagr after failing to land Jarome Iginla) was in large part due to the struggles of Lucic, as well as Nathan Horton.

Julien also has Carl Soderberg at his disposal now.

At today’s practice, left-winger Dan Paille was skating on the second line with David Krejci in the middle and Horton on the right side.

Soderberg was playing the left side on the third line with center Chris Kelly and Jagr on the right.

Boston has just two wins in its last six games.