Boston Bruins provide updates on top-2 defensemen
The Boston Bruins were able to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in game four without their top two defensemen.
Although the team won without Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, they will also be excited to see their top pair back on the ice. The club got a little bit of good but not certain news on Monday morning.
Hampus Lindholm was seen skating during the Bruins' optional skate Monday morning and was in a regular practise jersey, which is obviously a very good sign.
Lindholm hasn't been ruled out for game five, but he'll need to be medically cleared if he's going to play tomorrow. Boston Bruins' head coach Bruce Cassidy stated that he's not totally ruling Lindholm out, but he's not 100% in yet either; but "The fact that he's skating is a positive ... If he's cleared, he's in."
Boston's top defenseman Charle McAvoy also missed game four because of a positive COVID test prior to Sunday's matchup. Per NHL rules, players who have tested positive must remain in isolation for at least five days since symptom onset.
Cassidy said that McAvoy is still in protocol, and he doesn't believe he'll be travelling with the team when they leave for Raleigh later today. So there's still no timetable for his return.
"He's feeling better," Cassidy notes.
It's all but certain that the Bruins will be without McAvoy for game five as well, but Lindholm may be an option. However, it's very positive that Boston was able to defeat the Hurricanes in game four without both top defensemen in the lineup and also held them to just two goals.
NHL players in this story
Hampus Lindholm
Charlie McAvoy
