from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

... What a profoundly disappointing, anticlimactic finish it would be here if the NHL is forced to call it quits on the season and scrub the playoffs, and Chara either opts to retire or the Bruins figure it’s time to face life in the post-Z era.

If the NHL has packed up for good this season, and there’s no new deal to extend him, or he opts to call it quits, then Chara’s final skate will have been Tuesday’s 2-0 win in Philadelphia. The 6-9 Trencin Tower of Power logged 23:49 in ice time, second only to partner Charlie McAvoy’s 25:59, and picked up the secondary assist on the final goal of the night by Patrice Bergeron.

Chara’s career line to date: 1,553 games (1,023 with Boston), 205-451—656. Not to mention 182 playoffs games (137 with Boston), including the waltz with the Cup here in 2011....

If it’s over for Joe Thornton, his career line reads: 1,636 games, 420-1,089—1,509. He has scored the most goals of any player every drafted as a Bruin (No. 1, 1997), and he is second only to Bourque for assists (1,169) and points (1,579). Jumbo will be 41 on July 2. He said he hoped the Sharks would have dealt him to a contender at the deadline, but GM Doug Wilson couldn’t find a landing spot for him.

more on Chara plus many more hockey topics...