Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy is optimistic defenceman Hampus Lindholm will return to the lineup for Game 6 of their first-round series against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Cassidy made the comments to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.
Lindholm, acquired by the Bruins in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks before the trade deadline, suffered an upper-body injury in Game 2 after taking a hit from Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov during the second period and has not played since.
The Bruins trail the series 3-2 after losing 5-1 at Carolina on Tuesday.
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said goaltender Jeremy Swayman will remain the team’s starter.
Swayman has started the past three games after Linus Ullmark started Games 1 and 2 — both Bruins losses.