Marc McLaughlin will make his season debut for the Boston Bruins Saturday night after getting called up from AHL Providence on emergency basis.
The Boston Bruins open their two-game road trip Saturday at UBS Arena with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop against the New York Islanders. The matchup marks the third and final time the teams will meet this regular season.
The Bruins have won the previous two games against the Islanders – 5-2 on Nov. 9 and 5-4 in a shootout on Dec. 15.
“They’re a good team and this time of year points are valuable so you are never going to get an easy game in this league – especially not tonight,” Charlie McAvoy said of the Islanders Saturday to the media.
Boston is coming off a 5-4 regulation win over the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday at TD Garden. While a 3-0 lead was given up, the B’s ultimately closed it out thanks to the power-play, game-winning goal from Mason Lohrei at the end of the third period.
Per Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, both Matt Grzelcyk and Justin Brazeau will draw out of the lineup due to “minor injuries.” Derek Forbort will fill in on the backend, and Marc McLaughlin will slot in on the fourth line.
McLaughlin was called up from AHL Providence Friday on an emergency basis. The 24-year-old has 11 points (six goals, five assists) through 53 games, and last played in the NHL Jan. 29, 2023.
“Really excited. I’m jacked up to be here. I’ve been putting in a lot of work in Providence and it’s good to see that paying off and being up here and hopefully help this team win,” McLaughlin said to the media Saturday.
McLaughlin has played 13 total games with the Bruins, but Saturday will be his first try at the pros in the 2023-24 season. Montgomery said Forbort and Brazeau should be back for Monday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Just playing a solid two-way game, 200-foot game, playing hard, taking care of the details,” McLaughlin said of his focus. “Every time you come here, you’re a little bit more comfortable than last time. Just take those games that you’ve played already and go from there.”
Linus Ullmark will get the start against the Islanders. The goaltender has a 2.72 goals against average and .913 save percentage through 29 games. Ullmark last played Monday against the Seattle Kraken and made 27 saves in the 4-3 shootout loss.
Dec 15, 2023; Elmont, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) fights for the puck against New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) and goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsBruins lineup projection based on Friday’s practice:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk-Pavel Zacha-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Morgan Geekie-Trent Frederic
Jakub Lauko-Jesper Boqvist-Marc McLaughlin
Parker Wotherspoon-Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei-Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort-Kevin Shattenkirk
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
Five things to know about the Islanders:
- The Islanders are coming off a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings Thursday in which they extended their win streak to two games and improved to a 25-20-14 record. New York is in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with 64 points and is six points out of a wild card spot.
- Brock Nelson leads the team in goals with 27 – he has 48 total points through 59 games. The forward recorded his fifth multi-goal game of the season Thursday when he scored twice. Nelson has five points in the last five games.
- Ilya Sorokin is expected to get the start against the Bruins. The goaltender has a 3.11 GAA and .909 SV% through 43 games. Sorokin last played Thursday against Detroit and made 25 saves.
- Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders in points with 63 (18 goals, 45 assists). Barzal is on the first line with Nelson and Bo Horvat. The winger is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals with four, and notched one on Thursday.
- Noah Dobson is second on the team in points – and leads all defensemen – with 61 (seven goals, 54 assists). Dobson is skating on the first defensive pair with Adam Pelech and has three points in his last five games.