The Boston Bruins will have their beleaguered blue line bolstered with the return of defenseman Hampus Lindholm on Tuesday. The 31-year-old, who had missed eight of the team's last nine games due to a lower-body injury, has been activated off injured reserve and is expected to resume his role in the lineup.
In order to accommodate Lindholm, the Bruins have assigned defenseman Michael Callahan back to Providence. Callahan was set to be scratched on Tuesday as part of a roster move that will also see defensemen Jonathan Aspirot make his NHL debut against the Islanders at TD Garden.
Lindholm's return is seen as a welcome boost for a Bruins blue line that has struggled defensively this season, ranking 29th in goals allowed per game and 32nd in shot attempts allowed at 5-on-5 play. His presence on the ice is expected to provide much-needed stability, having posted just six blocks over 45 minutes of ice time in three games for Boston.
According to head coach Marco Sturm, Lindholm's absence has been felt throughout the season. "He's a really good defenseman," Sturm said of Lindholm. "We saw it when he was in the lineup. We missed him, but again, there's no excuse for our defensive struggles. So we're just excited to have him back."
Lindholm's expected return on Tuesday will be his first game since October 18 and just his fourth game overall this season. Aspirot, who was a late call-up from Providence, is set to make his NHL debut and provides a spark of offense that has been lacking for the Bruins.
Meanwhile, Mason Lohrei, another defenseman, will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday as Sturm explained, "The biggest thing for him...and I did it with Casey [Mittelstadt], too. I think once in a while, it's good to scratch a player like that. We expect more from him, and sometimes we have to press that reset button."
In order to accommodate Lindholm, the Bruins have assigned defenseman Michael Callahan back to Providence. Callahan was set to be scratched on Tuesday as part of a roster move that will also see defensemen Jonathan Aspirot make his NHL debut against the Islanders at TD Garden.
Lindholm's return is seen as a welcome boost for a Bruins blue line that has struggled defensively this season, ranking 29th in goals allowed per game and 32nd in shot attempts allowed at 5-on-5 play. His presence on the ice is expected to provide much-needed stability, having posted just six blocks over 45 minutes of ice time in three games for Boston.
According to head coach Marco Sturm, Lindholm's absence has been felt throughout the season. "He's a really good defenseman," Sturm said of Lindholm. "We saw it when he was in the lineup. We missed him, but again, there's no excuse for our defensive struggles. So we're just excited to have him back."
Lindholm's expected return on Tuesday will be his first game since October 18 and just his fourth game overall this season. Aspirot, who was a late call-up from Providence, is set to make his NHL debut and provides a spark of offense that has been lacking for the Bruins.
Meanwhile, Mason Lohrei, another defenseman, will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday as Sturm explained, "The biggest thing for him...and I did it with Casey [Mittelstadt], too. I think once in a while, it's good to scratch a player like that. We expect more from him, and sometimes we have to press that reset button."
, the bruins blue line has been getting torched all season and it'll be nice to see some stability on defense. idk what's going on with michael callahan tho, being sent down to providence after being scratched just doesn't make sense. i get that linholm's return is a big boost but can't they find a way to keep callahan in the lineup? and aspirot making his debut vs the islanders will be cool to see, i've heard he's got some nice puck movement skills 
hopefully this brings a spark to the team.
and now they're bringing back Hampus Lindholm... hopefully he can be the stabilizing force they need 
. I mean, it's always tough when you lose a guy like him from your lineup, but at least they're making moves to try and get better 
. Assigning Callahan to Providence might seem harsh, but I guess it's all about giving Aspirot a shot and maybe that'll be the spark they need 
. And yeah, Mason Lohrei being a healthy scratch is kinda expected... Sturm's right, sometimes you gotta shake things up 
. Here's hoping Lindholm's return can bring some much-needed stability to their defense 
!
. Still, I think it's great that they're giving him another shot. And Aspirot making his debut? That's some nice upside! 
. But anyway, here's to Lindholm and hoping he brings stability back on D 
. Is it a coaching issue? A systems problem? Or is it something deeper? Maybe they're just not buying into the team culture enough... I don't know, man. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one 
they're basically saying "hey Hampy, come back save us from our own mistakes" 
, and mason lohrei gets to be healthy scratch because who doesn't love a good reset button 
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, the Bruins blue line has been super shaky this season and he's one of their best defencemen... i feel like his presence will make a huge difference in their games 
. I also think it's cool that they're giving Aspirot a chance to debut, but at the same time, Mason Lohrei is getting benched 
. Aspirot's call-up is an interesting move too, as it highlights the importance of finding spark plugs on defense who can help counterbalance the team's defensive struggles 
. Lindholm's return is a welcome boost, but I wonder if Callahan's demotion will impact his ability to develop a strong rapport with the rest of the defense 
.
they need Lindsy ASAP... but meanwhile, another defenseman is getting benched lol what's up with Marco Sturm making decisions? 
Mason Lohrei gets a healthy scratch and you're like "sometimes you gotta reset the button"... yeah good luck with that 
So the Bruins are finally getting some help on D! 
Meanwhile, Aspirot makes his NHL debut and that's some exciting offense to talk about