The Bruins will get more than just goaltender Linus Ullmark back in action for Saturday afternoon’s head-to-head with the Rangers at TD Garden, as both David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm have been cleared and will return to action, according to Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy.
We’ve got updates from Coach Cassidy:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 23, 2022
David Pastrnak, Hampus Lindholm, and Linus Ullmark are all IN this afternoon against the Rangers. pic.twitter.com/WLe2rb3NWO
The start for Ullmark, which was circled as his projected return date earlier this week, comes after the 6-foot-4 netminder missed the last three games after taking a shot off the head in an Apr. 14 meeting with the Senators. Ullmark was white hot prior to the injury, with six wins and a .935 save percentage in his last nine appearances.
And Pastrnak’s return to the Boston lineup will end what was an eight-game absence for Boston’s leading goal scorer. The Bruins have certainly struggled to produce offense throughout Pastrnak’s time on the shelf, with 2.00 goals per game (tied for 30th in the NHL) and a league-worst donut on the power play (0-for-24) over that stretch.
Lindholm, meanwhile, is expected to reunite with Charlie McAvoy on Boston’s top pairing. It’s a pairing that’s certainly worked wonders for the Bruins in their limited time together, with a 60.32 corsi-for percentage, 73-38 shot advantage, and 8-3 edge in goals in almost 88 minutes of five-on-five play together.
Interestingly enough, the plan for the Bruins is to get Pastrnak and Lindholm in action today, but not have them travel to Montreal for Sunday’s game in Montreal. In essence, the Bruins didn’t want to have them go back-to-back right away.
With Pastrnak and Lindholm back, forward Marc McLaughlin and defenseman Mike Reilly will exit the lineup.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
