The Bruins are getting a key piece of their blue line back just in time for Saturday night’s tilt against the Blackhawks. Hampus Lindholm has officially been activated from injured reserve after missing the last six games due to an injury he picked up in Boston’s January 3rd overtime win over Vancouver. To make room on the roster, the Bruins have reassigned defenseman Billy Sweezey to Providence.
Even without Lindholm, Boston didn’t miss a beat. The Bruins went 5-1-0 during his absence, outscoring opponents by an average of more than two goals per game.
That kind of performance speaks volumes about the depth and structure of this team. While the top four carried the bulk of the minutes, the second pairing of Jonathan Aspirot and Henri Jokiharju stepped up and delivered.
Mason Lohrei also chipped in with some timely offense, showing the kind of poise you want to see from a young defenseman in a next-man-up situation.
Now, with Lindholm returning, the Bruins’ blue line gets a serious boost. He’s logged over 22 minutes a night this season, anchoring the back end with his steady presence and ability to eat tough minutes.
Through 34 games, he’s put up 14 points and 36 penalty minutes, and while his minus-seven rating might raise an eyebrow, it doesn’t tell the full story of his impact. Lindholm remains one of Boston’s most trusted defensemen, and his return couldn’t come at a better time as the Bruins look to extend their five-game win streak.
With Lindholm sliding back into the lineup, Andrew Peeke is expected to be the odd man out. Peeke’s been quiet of late, and this move gives the Bruins a chance to reestablish their preferred defensive rotation.
As for Sweezey, his brief stint with the big club ends without an NHL appearance. The 29-year-old was called up as insurance following Thursday’s game against Seattle but didn’t get into the lineup.
Still, he’s been a steady contributor in Providence, tallying 11 points and a team-best plus-22 rating through 34 games this season. In his second year with the AHL Bruins, Sweezey continues to provide veteran leadership and physicality on the back end.
He’s also no stranger to the NHL, having skated in nine games with Columbus during the 2022-23 season.
With Lindholm back in the mix and the Bruins firing on all cylinders, Boston’s defensive core looks poised to keep rolling. The timing couldn’t be better as they continue to stack wins and build momentum in the second half of the season.