Boston Bruins News

Brandon Bussi was recalled on Thursday to backup Linus Ullmark as Swayman was out of the lineup battling an illness. The starting goalie has not been announced yet for Saturday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes but if called upon, Swayman will be ready to suit up after returning to practice on Friday. Swayman has been tremendous lately, saving 50 of the last 51 shots he has faced (.980 SV%) during a two-game winning streak.

McAvoy played only 15:53 time-on-ice on Thursday before exiting the game with a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old defenseman did not participate in practice on Friday, and is considered day-to-day but hopeful to play Saturday. If McAvoy misses any time, look for Hampus Lindholm to move up to the top powerplay unit, where he saw success last season when McAvoy was out of the lineup.

Brandon Bussi will likely serve as the Bruins' backup on Thursday as Swayman is dealing with an illness. Swayman's absence from the lineup shouldn't linger much longer, which is great news for the Bruins since he has been tremendous lately, saving 50 of the last 51 shots he has faced (.980 SV%) during a two-game winning streak.

With Derek Forbort on long-term injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, Lohrei has been recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL and will likely be with the team until Forbort returns which will not be until, at the earliest, December 31st. The 22-year-old Lohrei made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing well in 10 games with the Bruins, scoring four points (1G / 3A) and averaging 17:35 time-on-ice.

Lindholm is dealing with an illness which prevented him from participating in practice on Monday and made him a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Lindholm scored two points (2G / 0A) on Saturday, his first two-goal performance of the season, snapping a three-game pointless skid. Lindholm's 17 points (7G / 10A) in 24 games have him pacing for his lowest point total since joining the Flames in the 2018-19 season.

Reichel was a healthy scratch in the Blackhawks' 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Sunday but will return to the lineup to skate on a line with Ryan Donato and Mackenzie Entwistle. The 17th overall pick of the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has struggled to find his footing this season, scoring only six points (2G / 4A) and registering a -17 plus/minus through 22 games.

Lindholm is dealing with an illness preventing him from participating in practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Lindholm scored two points (2G / 0A) on Saturday, his first two-goal performance of the season, snapping a three-game pointless skid. Lindholm's 17 points (7G / 10A) in 24 games have him pacing for his lowest point total since joining the Flames in the 2018-19 season.

Swayman will get the call for the back-end of the Boston's back-to-back after Linus Ullmark got the start in Toronto on Saturday. Swayman pitched a shutout his last time out, stopping all 26 shots he faced in a 3-0 victory over the Sharks on Thursday. The 25-year-old Swayman has been outstanding this season, registering a 2.17 GAA and a .930 SV% to go along with his 8-1-2 record. He is in a great spot to keep things rolling on Sunday with the Bruins being -250 favourites over the Blue Jackets.

Kastelic has missed the Senators' previous eight games due to a high-ankle sprain and was placed on the Long-Term Injured Reserve retroactive to November 3rd, Thursday. The 24-year-old bruising centre had failed to collect a point through nine games this season, but had 21 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus prior to his injury.

Jim Montgomery and the Bruins coaching staff have favoured Swayman over Linus Ullmark in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Thursday as Swayman will start for the fifth time in the last seven games. Swayman has been the more consistent of the two goalies this season but has struggled lately, as has the entire team, failing to record a victory in three straight games (0-1-1), posting a subpar .882 SV% in the process. The Bruins will look for only their second win in six games (1-3-1) against a low-scoring San Jose Sharks team (1.64 GF / GP) that has played significantly better lately, winning three of their last six (3-2-1).

Swayman will be back between the pipes for the Bruins on Monday after Linus Ullmark took the loss in Saturday's 7-4 defeat to the Rangers. Swayman's last appearance was a 5-2 loss to the Red Wings on Friday, when he surrendered four goals on just 28 shots. It was an uncharacteristically poor start from Swayman, but he still owns a sparkling stat line on the season with a .926 SV% and a 2.28 GAA to go along with his 7-1-2 record. He draws an excellent matchup on Monday with Boston being -250 favourites to secure the victory over the Blue Jackets.

Jokiharju did not play on Saturday and has averaged only 12:34 time-on-ice over his last four games after averaging 17:11 in his first 14, which is also when he accumulated all seven points he has this season (2G / 5A). Jokiharju has predominantly skated alongside Owen Power this season on the Sabres' second defensive pairing.