There’s good news and bad news with Hampus Lindholm
The Bruins had a concerning update on injured defenseman Hampus Lindholm, but not without a potential silver lining.
May 2, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) controls the puck against Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins will have to play without defenseman Hampus Lindholm in their next game, but the latest update isn't all bad.
Head coach Bruce Cassidy delivered fresh news on Thursday about Lindholm's upper body injury, suffered during the Bruins' Game 2 loss Wednesday night. Lindholm is out for Game 3, and it's unclear exactly what type of upper-body injury he's dealing with. But he did look wobbly getting up from the hit by the Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov, so "concussion" is the obvious road to take here.
The silver lining to this is that Lindholm is already back in Boston and didn't need to stay behind in Raleigh after the game. “He traveled back, he’s not available [Friday], so we’ll go from there,” Cassidy said.
It's not impossible that Lindholm flew back to Boston after suffering a concussion, but it seems unlikely he'd get right on a plane if he were still feeling acute or severe symptoms of a head injury. Obviously, the hope is that it's more like a shoulder or chest problem, and if it's a head injury, it's not a long-term concern.
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Either way, it's far from ideal to be without Lindholm, the Bruins' major trade deadline acquisition, on the blue line in Game 3. Cassidy told reporters that Mike Reilly "right now would be the obvious choice to go in" on defense. He'll have a chance to play the left side with either Charlie McAvoy or Brandon Carlo.
The Bruins are also expected to make regular lineup changes for Game 3 Friday night at TD Garden. Cassidy confirmed that Jeremy Swayman will start in goal, while it's possible they also change up the bottom-six forwards.
Bruins-Hurricanes Game 3 takes place Friday at 7 p.m. in Boston. You can get the call of the game on 98.5 The Sports Hub, starting with pregame at 6:30.
The Boston Bruins faced the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of their opening-round Stanley Cup Playoff series at PNC Arena. Keep scrolling for more photos from the game.
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) takes a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Two
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Nino Niederreiter #21 celebrates as teammate Jesper Fast #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores against Linus Ullmark #35 of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Two
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Antti Raanta #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes dives to block a shot by Taylor Hall #71 of the Boston Bruins during the first period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Two
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes knocks away a pass intended for Taylor Hall #71 of the Boston Bruins during the second period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes players and Boston Bruins players confront during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm (27) is helped off the ice by left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) and left wing Taylor Hall (71) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) swings his stick at Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Carolina Hurricanes
James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsMay 4, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes - Game Two
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 04: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins and Jesper Fast #71 of the Carolina Hurricanes battle for the puck during the second period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 04, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
