Adam McQuaid had to overcome a serious illness to even play hockey this season.
He needed two operations to deal with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a serious illness where the body produces blood clots at a rapid rate. The fact that he was able to recover and score the winning goal in the clinching game of the Eastern Conference finals is a Hollywood-type story.

Adam McQuiad scored the lone goal for the Bruins to aid their sweep of the Penguins and lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals with a 1-0 victory Friday night.
Boston will be advancing to its second Stanley Cup Finals in the last three years. In the three series so far, the Bruins have shown they are adaptable and can win in multiple fashions -- fast-paced or tight-checking, with defense or with offense, and most of all: without deviating from their structure. Friday, it was smothering defense and opportune offense that did the trick as McQuaid scored as the trailer on a rising one-timer from Brad Marchand at 5:01 of the third period. Patrice Bergeron had the other helper. Marchand also led the way with four penalty minutes and Dennis Seidenberg with a whopping seven blocked shots. The Bruins were on life support against the Leafs in the first round, but they've gotten stronger as the playoffs have gone on.

Adam McQuaid played the least ice time on Boston's defense corps in Game 3's double-overtime victory against Pittsburgh.
He finished the contest with 16:26 of playing time and had a plus-1 rating. Still, coach Claude Julien is glad to have the rugged defenseman back in the lineup for this playoff run after he missed last year's early exit due to a neck injury. "He was a pretty important part of our team when we won a few years ago and probably flew under the radar because of how well other players played," said Julien. "But when he stays away from injuries and he gets his momentum going in his game, he's a really reliable defenseman, and you've seen him at times play against top lines because he's capable of doing that. Certainly in the position that he's in right now in that third pairing, he gives us a pretty good player there."

Adam McQuaid isn't dwelling on the controversial hit he suffered at the hands of Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Cooke slammed McQuaid from behind into the boards, which resulted in Cooke being ejected from the game, but not suspended. Fortunately, McQuaid was able to return to the contest and should be fine for Game 2 on Monday. "Honestly, it's behind me," McQuaid said. "There's so many things to focus on and get ready for and we just get ready for the next game and that's it."

At least one member of the Boston Bruins organization isn't mad about Matt Cooke not getting a suspension for his hit on Adam McQuaid: head coach Claude Julien.
He was OK with the game misconduct and penalty but wasn't sure it was the kind of check that warranted a suspension.

Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid appears to be fine after taking a hit from behind at the hands of Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.
The hit earned Cooke a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, but McQuaid was able to return to action and appeared no worse for the wear. It seems the tough blueliner and the Bruins have dodged a bullet in this case.

Adam McQuaid has been named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
The award goes to the "player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." He underwent two surgeries in September because of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, which caused blood clots to form in his neck and shoulder. The ailment was expected to sidelined him for the season, but he returned for the Bruins' regular-season opener once the lockout was settled.

Adam McQuaid, who was able to return to Boston's lineup on Tuesday night from an upper-body injury, might have the edge on the Bruins' less experienced blueliners to play when the playoffs begin.
Boston may sacrifice youth and puck-moving ability if they don't dress Dougie Hamilton or Matt Bartkowski on their bottom pairing, but playing McQuaid and Wade Redden may make more sense because of their experience.

Adam McQuaid did not play Sunday because of an upper-body injury.
However, he practiced Sunday and made the trip with the team to Philadelphia for Tuesday night's contest so he may be available to play.

Adam McQuaid was activated from the IL on Thursday April 11.

According to coach Claude Julien, Adam McQuaid (shoulder) is likely to play Thursday versus Tampa Bay.
He has been sidelined since March 19 because of a strained shoulder. Matt Bartkowski may sit to make room for McQuaid if he plays.

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) didn't take much contact in Sunday's practice.
It was McQuaid's first skate with the Bruins since sustaining a shoulder injury on March 19, so that's not surprising. It might still be a couple weeks before McQuaid is healthy enough to play.

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) rejoined the squad for practice on Sunday in Wilmington.
McQuaid has been sidelined since March 19 when he was injured on a hit from Eric Tangradi. The rugged defender has some value in leagues that reward hard-nosed play, as he can post hits, blocks and PIMs as well as a solid plus/minus rating.

Adam McQuaid, who worked out with Boston's strength and conditioning coach Thursday, should be ready to practice with his Bruin teammates next week.
Although he is a much better NHL defenseman than fantasy one, McQuaid does add value in hockey pools that include PIMs as positive stat. If you are in need of a penalty minute boost from your blueline, consider adding McQuaid over the next 7-10 days.

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) skated with the Bruins' strength and conditioning coach Thursday.
McQuaid is hopeful of returning before the end of the season. He's been sidelined since March 19 when he was injured on a hit from Eric Tangradi.

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) was out on the Monday and he hopes to return before the end of the regular season.
He has sat out the past six games with a strained shoulder.

Adam McQuaid's shoulder strain may keep him out four to six weeks rather than the original timetable of three to four weeks.
He has been sidelined since March 19 when he was injured in Winnipeg on a check from Eric Tangradi.

Adam McQuaid is projected to be out for three-to-four weeks with a shoulder strain.
He will reportedly be heading back to Boston for treatment. McQuaid was injured Tuesday night early into the first period on a hit from Winnipeg's Eric Tangradi.

Adam McQuaid suffered a suspected injury to his left arm Tuesday in the first period that quickly put an end to his night.
He concluded the contest with only two shifts and 56 seconds of ice time. McQuaid left after receiving a hit into the boards from Winnipeg's Eric Tangradi. In his absence, Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg logged some heavy ice time with 26:51 and 27:57 minutes, respectively.

Adam McQuaid won't play Thursday night because of an undisclosed injury.
He missed some time in Tuesday's game and he took a puck off his right arm in the first period. McQuaid is listed as day-to-day. Aaron Johnson, who hasn't played since Jan, 29, will dress in his place.

Adam McQuaid is starting to feel much more like himself now than he did back when he played in the season opener.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel it's quite a difference," McQuaid said Monday. "It's been about a month, so I guess we've been at it for a while, and it feels good to get back into the rhythm. I said at the beginning of the year that you want things to become more like second nature, and that's starting to come." A blood clot was discovered near his neck in September, which required surgery. He doesn't have any points in eight games this season, but he has collected 13 penalty minutes, 20 hits and a plus-3 rating.

Adam McQuaid was back with his Boston teammates on Tuesday after missing Monday's match due to personal reasons, but he didn't suit up against New Jersey.
He was away from the team in order to mourn the death of his paternal grandmother in Canada. McQuaid was scheduled to arrive back in town late Monday, but some bad weather delayed his flight so coach Claude Julien decided to give him the day off. He should be ready to play on Thursday. We would also like to express our condolences for his loss.

Adam McQuaid (personal) is expected to be back in Boston's lineup on Tuesday night.
He missed Monday's game due to personal reasons. His return to the lineup should bump Aaron Johnson back to the press box.

Adam McQuaid is not expected to play Monday against Carolina because of personal reasons.
He wasn't on the ice at practice Sunday, but is projected to join the team on Tuesday. Aaron Johnson will dress in his place.

Adam McQuaid was his physical self in Tuesday night's scrimmage.
He fought Providence enforcer Bobby Robins in the third period after missing the playoffs with concussion-like symptoms and then having surgery to remove a blood clot near his shoulder in October. Coach Claude Julien praised McQuaid for his aggressiveness and emotion. The rugged defender has some value in leagues that reward hard-nosed play, as he can post hits, blocks and PIMs as well as a solid plus/minus rating.

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) expects to play in Boston's opener on Saturday against the New York Rangers.
The Bruins defender underwent surgery to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder in October in which part of his rib and neck muscle was removed as well. "I feel pretty close," McQuaid said. "I feel like every day is getting better. It's coming pretty quick."

Adam McQuaid (shoulder) is likely to play in the season opener, according to Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli.
McQuaid had surgery to remove a blood clot that developed under his collarbone. He had 10 points and 99 penalty minutes in 72 games last season.

Adam McQuaid might not be ready at the start of camp.
He is still rehabbing from surgery to remove a blood clot that developed under his collarbone, resulting in thoracic outlet syndrome.

Adam McQuaid (thoracic outlet syndrome) is skating with his locked-out teammates, but he isn't sure when he'll be available to start again.
McQuaid needed two surgery to remove a potentially life threatening blood clot and treat thoracic outlet syndrome. "Initially, they thought it was going to be six months on the blood thinners and obviously I wouldn't have been able to play on the medication, so that was kind of devastating," McQuaid said. "But they keep telling me that I'm ahead of schedule and I came off earlier than expected, so I was happy with that." McQuaid hasn't been on the medication for three weeks. His upper body strength isn't where he wants it to be and his weight is still down when compared to where it was before the surgeries.