Murray will be out indefinitely

WILMINGTON -- Chuck Kobasew skated onto the Ristuccia Arena ice yesterday, wearing the white practice jersey usually donned by Glen Murray.

It's a color Kobasew might be sporting for a while.

Murray, who suffered a lower-body injury Tuesday in Boston's 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche and missed the third period, is out indefinitely, according to coach Dave Lewis.

"We're going to have to win without Glen Murray," Lewis, who didn't have a timetable on his return, said after practice. "That's it. Period. End of story."

Last Sunday, in Boston's 4-1 win over the Devils, Lewis said he thought Murray played one of his strongest games of the season, sending three shots on goal in 15:32 of ice time. But then against Colorado, Murray skated only 10:55 in two periods before shutting it down, most likely reinjuring his balky groin. Murray wasn't available for comment yesterday.

"Any time you lose one of your top goal scorers, obviously it's tough," said Marc Savard. "He's a guy who battles down low and gets loose pucks. Everybody's got to pick it up a notch when that happens. Somebody's got to step up again."

Murray injured his groin in practice Feb. 5 at TD Banknorth Garden. He sat out Boston's 3-2 win over the Capitals the following day, then returned Feb. 8 against the Hurricanes.

Murray missed the next two games, dressed for three straight, then aggravated the injury Feb. 19 in a 6-3 win over the Flyers. Lewis kept Murray out for the next four games, and the Bruins placed the winger on injured reserve Feb. 24, a move that was retroactive to Feb. 19 and opened a roster spot for goalie Joey MacDonald, whom the club claimed off waivers from the Red Wings.

On Feb. 26, the day after he was placed on IR, the 34-year-old Murray skated with the team for the first time since aggravating the groin. Afterward, Murray said he was being careful, taking care not to have the injury flare up again.

"I don't want to come back for two and then be out for four or five," Murray said that day. "I want to make sure."

Last Thursday, Murray rejoined the No. 1 line for Boston's 4-3 overtime loss to Philadelphia. Two nights later, Murray scored one of his trademark under-the-crossbar wristers from the slot in the Bruins' 3-1 victory over the Canadiens. But on Tuesday, Murray had only one shot over 13 shifts.

"Guys will get their ice time," said Lewis. "Guys will get their opportunities. They have to be ready and they have to contribute. If somebody else gets hurt, somebody else has to step in, play, and get it done. That's our job as players and coaches."

Murray has 28 goals this season, the most of any Bruin. But the Bruins haven't wilted during the seven games he's missed, going 5-2 without their No. 1 right wing.

Tonight against the Wild, it will be up to Kobasew, who's playing in his second game since fracturing his right elbow, to provide the offensive spark on the No. 1 line alongside Savard and P.J. Axelsson. Kobasew might also get some power-play action on the top unit in Murray's slot.

"It's a good thing," Kobasew said of the opportunity. "I haven't played for a while. I want to start playing and get more comfortable. With Glen not being there, it's the responsibility of everyone to step up their play to fill in."

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at FShinzawa@globe.com.