Defenseman Mason Lohrei is back in the lineup after getting called up from AHL Providence on Tuesday.
The Boston Bruins open their four-game road trip Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers with a 10 p.m. ET puck drop at Rogers Place. The matchup marks the first of two meetings between the teams this season.
“They’re dynamic, they’re fast, they’re playing great offense and great defense, they’re getting great goaltending. They’re an elite team like everyone expected at the beginning of the year,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said to reporters Wednesday.
The B’s are coming off a 4-3 shootout win over the Dallas Stars Monday in which they closed out a seven-game homestand – and collected only two victories on home ice in that period.
The road trip comes at an ideal time for a Bruins team that is trying to find its consistency again and string together consecutive wins for the first time since late January.
“I think guys are excited to be on the road together,” Montgomery said.
Feb 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; A shot by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) gets past Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) for a goal during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsBoston was fueled by fourth line contributions Monday with two points from Jesper Boqvist, an assist from Anthony Richard and a goal – his first in the NHL in his first career game – from Justin Brazeau.
Defenseman Mason Lohrei was called up from AHL Providence Tuesday in Hampus Lindholm’s absence.
“I know what they expect,” Lohrei said to reporters Wednesday. “Continuing to build my game, and just play a responsible defensive role. Be physical, but when the opportunities present themselves I still can go make plays.”
Per Montgomery, Lindholm is week to week with a lower-body injury but will not require surgery. Lindholm suffered the injury in the third period of Monday’s game, going down awkwardly in the corner after colliding with Stars forward Ty Dellandrea.
Lohrei has played 27 games with the Bruins this season and will slot onto the second defensive pair with Brandon Carlo – a veteran he skated with in his first couple stints in the pros. The 23-year-old also practiced on the second power play unit in Lindholm’s spot.
“He’s so great in the game and stuff, so vocal. It helps to have a partner that communicates so well…I love playing with him,” Lohrei said of Carlo.
Parker Wotherspoon will draw back into the lineup on the third defensive pair with Derek Forbort after Kevin Shattenkirk played the last two games in that position.
Linus Ullmark is expected to get the start against the Oilers. The goaltender has a 2.72 goals against average and .914 save percentage through 27 games. Ullmark last played Saturday in the 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings and made 35 saves.
Per Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, these were the Bruins’ lines at Wednesday’s morning skate:
Brad Marchand-Charlie Coyle-Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
James van Riemsdyk-Morgan Geekie-Anthony Richard
Trent Frederic-Jesper Boqvist-Justin Brazeau
Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei-Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort-Parker Wotherspoon
Linus Ullmark
Jeremy Swayman
Five things to know about the Oilers:
- Edmonton is coming off a 6-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes Monday in which it improved to a 33-18-1 record, good for third place in the Pacific Division with 67 points. The Oilers have won seven of their last 10 games, and scored four or more goals in the last four games.
- Connor McDavid leads Edmonton with 83 points (21 goals, 62 assists) while skating on the first line with Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry. The forward has 12 points in the last five games, including a six-assist performance Feb. 13 against the Detroit Red Wings.
- Stuart Skinner is expected to get the start against the Bruins. The goaltender has a 2.57 GAA and .906 SV% through 39 games. Skinner last played Monday against Arizona and made 25 saves.
- Zach Hyman leads the Oilers with 33 goals. The forward is on the second line with Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Hyman has just three points – and two goals – through the last five games.
- Edmonton’s power play percentage ranks fourth in the NHL at 26.8. Draisaitl leads the Oilers with 13 power-play goals while on the first unit with Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid and Evan Bouchard. Edmonton’s penalty kill has a 79.4 percentage, ranked 16th in the league.