WILMINGTON --Bruins head coach Claude Julien confirmed that Zdeno Chara suffered a broken nose in last night's 3-2 overtime loss at Washington, but should not be out of the lineup for Thursday's home game against Buffalo.

Chara was not in the building for this afternoon's brief optional practice at Ristuccia Arena.

"He's getting it fixed, but it should be no issue, though," Julien said.

Chara injured his nose in the second period last night, when Alexander Semin clipped the 6-foot-9 defenseman and captain with his stick, drawing blood. Chara returned to the bench later in the period. There was no penalty given to Semin.

Thirteen Bruins suited up for this practice, directed by three assistants, on the heels of a hard-earned point last night in Washington, D.C. Shawn Thornton (upper body), out the last three games, skated, as did Dennis Seidenberg (lacerated left wrist) and Andrew Ference (groin).

Julien said Seidenberg is "day to day again". Seidenberg, who sliced his wrist on a player's skate last week against Toronto, said there is still some pain and he has some trouble applying power with his wrist. Yesterday in D.C., the top-line defenseman dipped out of morning skate because of pain in the wrist, and participated in warmups but didn't take any hard shots or join line rushes.

"If you can't pass, you can't really play or shoot," Seidenberg said. "It was kind of clear once I made a couple of shaky passes, or shooting, or putting pressure on the stick, it was going to be tough to play with that."

Don't expect Ference in the lineup Thursday, or these last few games of the regular season. The defenseman skated well, but continues to be day to day. Julien is hopeful for a Ference return in the postseason.

Tim Thomas was the lone goalie on the ice.

The forwards: Steve Begin, Brad Marchand, Shawn Thornton, Dan Paille, Vladimir Sobotka, Michael Ryder, Blake Wheeler, Trent Whitfield.

The defensemen: Adam McQuaid, Andrew Bodnarchuk, Andrew Ference, Matt Hunwick, Dennis Seidenberg.