WILMINGTON, Mass. (AP) - Boston Bruins center Marc Savard has been cleared for full contact in practice after missing the final seven games of the regular season with a broken bone in his back.

Savard, who has 15 goals and 63 assists, wore a red jersey Tuesday - signifying limited contact was permitted - but said he had been cleared to hit and be hit starting Wednesday.

"I felt great," he said. "My speed felt good. My shooting was good."

Savard has not been cleared to play Thursday, when the Bruins begin their first-round playoff series against the Canadiens in Montreal. But he said taking some hits Wednesday would be good for his confidence. Savard was Boston's leading scorer against the Canadiens this season, with nine points.

Savard's full return to the ice comes after forward Patrice Bergeron was cleared to play after suffering a concussion on Oct. 27 and missing nearly the entire season. The team has not said when Bergeron would return to the lineup.

Defenseman Andrew Alberts returned to the lineup April 2 after being sidelined 3 1/2 months with a concussion and neck problems.

Bruins coach Claude Julien was cautious about predicting the return of Bergeron or Savard to a team that managed just one point in eight games against Montreal this season.

"Marc skated well today and it was a step in the right direction," Julien said. "We'll see how he feels tomorrow."

As the Canadiens coach in 2004, Julien was the architect of Montreal's comeback from 3-1 down in the first round of the playoffs to stun the then top-seeded Bruins.