The Boston Bruins have faced significant struggles during the first 16 games of the 2024-25 season. With a .500 record heading into their Tuesday night matchup against the St. Louis Blues, the Bruins hoped to turn things around on a brief two-game road trip. However, they were dealt a major blow on defense.
In the first period, while on the penalty kill, defenseman Hampus Lindholm blocked a shot and was forced to leave the ice, heading down the tunnel to the locker room. By the second period, the team confirmed that Lindholm would not return to the game, leaving head coach Jim Montgomery with just five defensemen for the remainder of the contest.
The Bruins, already trailing 2-0 after a pair of second-period power-play goals, faced an uphill battle against a Blues team that was below .500 entering the game. The absence of Lindholm only added to their challenges.
The team will continue their road trip Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, though Lindholm’s status for that game remains uncertain. If he’s unable to play, Parker Wotherspoon is likely to step into the lineup.
Losing Lindholm is a significant setback, as he’s been one of the Bruins’ top offensive defensemen this season. Montgomery had recently moved him to the first power-play unit, replacing Charlie McAvoy. Missing Lindholm for any length of time is a tough blow for the Black and Gold, especially given the current struggles.
If this trip doesn’t yield any positive results, questions may arise about potential changes for a team that has underperformed so far. With American Thanksgiving just over two weeks away, which is a key benchmark for playoff positioning, losing Lindholm could make things even more difficult for the Bruins.
