While lugging the puck around the end boards, Satan was blasted into the wall by Tampa Bay’s Steve Downie. From what the Bruins concluded on video review, Satan’s right hand got caught between the boards and the butt end of his stick. The force of the blow opened a V-shaped cut in Satan’s palm that required stitches. Satan flew to Boston yesterday morning to be examined by team doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“No tendon damage, but kind of a blowout when he got hit into the boards,’’ said coach Claude Julien, who termed Satan day to day. “The knob of his stick, on the impact, opened up his hand. So there’s a laceration there.’’

Earlier in the period, Satan finished off a skilled play that management and coaching staff had figured he might bring to a top-line role. Savard whirled around the net and spotted Satan sneaking backdoor. After selling the Lightning defensemen on a puck to the point, Savard instead threw a cross-crease dish to the far post. Satan caught the puck on his forehand, and with a quick twist of his blade, he tapped a backhander past Antero Niittymaki for his third goal of the season.

But the Downie hit will cause Satan to miss his first game of the year after dressing in 18 straight. Julien wasn’t sure whether the injury would affect Satan’s Olympic availability. Satan and Zdeno Chara were scheduled to travel to Vancouver tomorrow and suit up for Team Slovakia.

“One of the big things is trying to eat up minutes for the big men, so that they’re not going back-to-back-to-back with 30 minutes, 29 minutes, 28 minutes,’’ said Ference. “I know for our back end to be as good as it can be, we need to spread our minutes around. I think we’ve been able to do that a little bit more.’’

Ference, who’s been skating with rookie Adam McQuaid on the third pairing, recorded one assist and logged 19:09 of ice time, the most since his injury, in the 5-4 win over the Lightning Thursday. Ference played 3:53 on the penalty kill, second behind Derek Morris (4:09). While paired with McQuaid, Ference has played a simple game, focusing on getting pucks out and being efficient with his positioning.

“I think he brings a calming effect,’’ McQuaid said. “He’s experienced. He makes a lot of plays look easy. He keeps things simple. I think the two of us complement one another.’’

Ference acknowledged that the schedule - four games in seven days, followed by the Olympic break - made it easier for him to return to the lineup. Ference said had there been back-to-back games, it might have been difficult for him to dress on consecutive nights and place more stress on the groin, which continues to heal.

“The good thing is there’s four games and they’re all spread out by a day, and I know I have a big break here,’’ said Ference, who will return to his offseason home in British Columbia. “That’s a huge difference compared to just jumping back in to the normal schedule of things. That’s been a huge help. Probably the only reason why I could be somewhat effective.’’

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