After playing in the Olympics for Team USA and then finishing his junior season at Harvard, Bruins rookie Ryan Donato opened his professional career with a sizzle — notching 5 goals and 4 assists in 12 games, including a goal and two assists in his NHL debut.
But he could open the playoffs on the sidelines. The 22-year-old was the odd man out at Tuesday’s practice at Warrior Arena, with Brian Gionta skating between David Backes and Danton Heinen, and Jake DeBrusk and Rick Nash flanking David Krejci. Gionta will give way as soon as Riley Nash is healthy enough to return to the ice.