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Zdeno Chara will be back in time for 2019 Winter Classic

Zdeno Chara is progressing as expected.

EDMONTON, AB – OCTOBER 18: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on October 18, 2018 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Codie McLachlan/Getty Images

By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com

The Boston Bruins will remain without captain Zdeno Chara through Christmas, but the 6-foot-9 captain is expected to be back and fully ready to go for the 2019 Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium, a source has told 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Originally given a four-week re-evaluation timeline on Nov. 17, this word is certainly a positive sign in the recovery process of the 41-year-old following an injury to his left MCL suffered in a collision with Colorado's Carl Soderberg in a Nov. 14 loss.

Chara, of course, has been skating with the Bruins -- both on his own and with the team -- in recent weeks, though Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy quickly ruled him out of this weekend's slate against the Predators and Sunday against the Hurricanes.

A workout fiend, Chara has even documented some of his recovery process via his (must-follow) Instagram account.

In his 13th season in town, Chara has recorded three goals, one assist, and averaged 21:30 of time on ice through 18 games.

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has also been a voting member of the Boston Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter @_TyAnderson.

Ty Anderson is 98.5 The Sports Hub’s friendly neighborhood straight-edge kid. Ty has been covering the Bruins (and other Boston teams) since 2010, has been a member of the PHWA since 2013, and went left to right across your radio dial and joined The Sports Hub in 2018. Ty also writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox.