Game Day Preview: Boston Bruins Face Buffalo Sabres, Mason Lohrei Replaces Derek Forbort

The Boston Bruins placed Derek Forbort on long-term injured reserve Thursday, and called up Mason Lohrei from AHL Providence.

BRIGHTON, Mass. – The Boston Bruins are back in action Thursday night at TD Garden as they welcome the Buffalo Sabres for a 7 p.m. puck drop in the second matchup between the Atlantic Division opponents this season.

“I see a team that is more committed to forechecking. See a team that’s starting to find their rhythm offensively and defensively,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Thursday. “They’re an improved hockey team from the last time we played them.”

The Bruins will look to extend their three-game win streak, most recently beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Sunday. The Sabres, on the other hand, are trying to break a four-game losing streak and most recently fell to the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 on Tuesday.

The biggest change for Boston Thursday night is its backend. The team announced Thursday morning that Derek Forbort was placed on long-term injured reserve, and Mason Lohrei was called up from AHL Providence in his absence.

Montgomery said Forbort is still battling the same lower-body injury from training camp that he’s already missed time for this season. The team is hoping this extended rest will put him on track to finish the year healthy. Forbort will first be eligible to return on Dec. 31 against the Detroit Red Wings.

Lohrei, who has played 10 games with the Bruins this season, will replace Forbort on the third pair and skate with Kevin Shattenkirk. In his first stint in Boston, Lohrei was paired with both Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy, but said he’s still comfortable with Shattenkirk.

“We’ve played together within games. We haven’t been paired yet, like in the sheet, but we’ve definitely taken shifts together,” Lohrei said Thursday. “He’s played so many games and is such a great player. He’s an unbelievable guy to learn from and talk to on the bench.”

The Bruins’ penalty kill will have a different look without Forbort. Montgomery said Hampus Lindholm will move up to the first unit alongside Carlo to fill Forbort’s spot, and Matt Grzelcyk will slot onto the second unit in Lindholm’s place as another left-shot defenseman.

Linus Ullmark will get the start, as it was always planned, but Jeremy Swayman will not back him up. Montgomery said Swayman is sick and they want to keep him away from the team, so Boston called up Brandon Bussi from Providence on an emergency basis.

Through 12 games in the AHL this season, Bussi has posted a 2.58 goals against average and 0.917 save percentage.

Ullmark will get his second start against the team that drafted him in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Draft. The goaltender made 32 saves on 34 shots in November’s game.

Captain Brad Marchand has not practiced with the team the past two days due to personal matters, but Montgomery said he is expected to be back for Thursday’s game.

Jake DeBrusk-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak

Danton Heinen-Charlie Coyle-Brad Marchand

James van Riemsdyk-Matt Poitras-Trent Frederic

Jakub Luako-Johnny Beecher-Morgan Geekie

Matt Grzelcyk-Charlie McAvoy

Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo

Mason Lohrei-Kevin Shattenkirk

Linus Ullmark

Brandon Bussi

The Hockey News will have full coverage of Thursday’s 7 p.m. game against the Sabres. Follow along on Twitter (X) @bellefraser1 and @joe_poho.