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Lucic is excited to get into a Bruins preseason game

Milan Lucic

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic watches a drill during NHL hockey training camp in Wilmington, Mass., Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

Milan Lucic has a good reason to be excited tonight, as he’ll play his first game of the preseason as the Boston Bruins are set to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Considering his protracted rehab from a wrist injury this summer, it’s understandable that he wants to get those first hits (giving and receiving) in, as he notes to the Bruins website.

“I think that’s an important part of preseason — getting into the game situation and taking a hit, getting in on the forecheck, battling on the wall and knowing where you are in the D zone again,” Lucic said.

The 26-year-old has been very happy about his progress in the past few weeks, yet there’s still some justifiable concern that he might begin the 2014-15 season a little tentatively. In an ideal situation, the B’s would probably like Lucic to become an even more demonstrative force - at least with upping his shots on goal each night - but that might be tough considering the healing process he’s still going through.

If nothing else, he’s apparently been looking like his overpowering old self to teammates like Dougie Hamilton.

“It’ll be fun to see him,” Hamilton said. “I think he’s been pretty good in practice. I don’t think he looks like he’s hurt, so it should be fun to see him in the game. He’s obviously a huge part of our team, so he’s going to help us out a lot.”

Exhibition or not, tonight’s contest could be a nice way for the big winger to get back into a rhythm.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins