For the Boston Bruins, they get some welcoming news ahead of today’s original six matchup with the New York Rangers at 3 pm EST. Head Coach Bruce Cassidy announced the Bruins will have star right winger David Pastrnak on the ice as well as top blueliner Hampus Lindholm and goaltender Linus Ullmark.
The news of their return can’t come at a better time as the Bruins are gearing up for the playoffs with only five games remaining. These players now have the opportunity to shake off the rust and get back to game speed as they have been out for multiple weeks besides Ullmark, who only missed a few games after taking a puck to the helmet.
The return of David Pastrnak will hopefully jump-start the Bruin’s lackluster power play that has struggled since his departure with a nagging core injury. Pastrnak has 38 goals and 33 assists for 71 points on the season, with 14 of those goals coming on the power play.
As for the return of Hampus Lindholm, he will slot right back on the top of the blue line pairings with Charlie McAvoy as they look to continue the dominant play they showed prior to the injury. Lindholm will play a big part of what the Bruins do in the playoffs as he was brought over at the trade deadline to shore things up.
The Bruins need this win today to keep the Capitals behind them in the Wild Card race as they look to hold onto the number one spot and avoid playing the Florida Panthers in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
