It seems to be better than even money that Mark Savard will play at least some for the Bruins tonight as they try to close out the Buffalo Sabres. I believe this decision to be competitively unnecessary, economically unsound, and morally indefensible.

The Bruins do not need -- or, more to the point, they ought not to need -- Savard to beat Buffalo one more time. They beat the Sabres three times already without him. They should be able to rest him for the balance of this series and still be able to close the deal, especially tonight, at what is undoubtedly going to be a feral evening at the Garden. This, in turn, would protect further a player in whom the Bruins have made a substantial investment, rather than risking him in a game in which they shouldn't need him, and taking the chance that a single concussion becomes a syndrome. (Please see, "Lindros, Eric" for details.) And, having said that, playing Savard tonight is reckless and unnecessary, and puts the lie to hockey's expressed concern about head injuries.