As the Boston Bruins gear up for their final game before the Olympic break, they’ll be doing so without two key forwards - and both are hoping their next game action comes on international ice.
Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm, both set to represent their countries in the upcoming Olympics, won’t suit up for Wednesday’s matchup against the Florida Panthers. Bruins head coach Marco Sturm confirmed the news following Tuesday’s practice, noting that while there’s hope both could still play in the Olympics, their current absence from the team remains a concern.
“They’re still not here, so that’s not good,” Sturm said. “That means they still have issues, but at this point it’s probably more up to the national team doctors than ours. Hopefully both will be okay to go.”
Zacha has been sidelined since January 29, when he left the Bruins’ 6-3 win over the Flyers with an injury. Before going down, the 26-year-old had been a steady contributor, tallying 15 goals and 22 assists across 54 games - a 37-point pace that’s kept him among Boston’s most reliable offensive producers.
Lindholm, meanwhile, has been out since January 27 with an upper-body injury and is currently on injured reserve. Like Zacha, he’s also sitting on 37 points this season, with 11 goals and 26 assists through 44 games. His absence has left a noticeable gap in Boston’s top-six forward group, especially in terms of playmaking and power play presence.
While the forward group takes a hit, the Bruins did get a boost on the blue line. Defenseman Jordan Harris was activated off injured reserve and recalled from his conditioning stint in Providence. Sturm noted that Harris looked sharp in his return to practice and could be an option for Wednesday’s game if needed.
“He had great games in Providence, only had really good feedback,” Sturm said. “Today we saw him for the first time.
He looks way better than 10 days ago when we saw him with us on the last road trip. Seems like the old Harry.”
Harris has been out since October 21 with a fractured ankle. He appeared in five games earlier this season, notching a goal and an assist before the injury sidelined him for over three months.
The Bruins, currently clinging to the final wild card spot with a 32-20-4 record, will face a tough test on the road against the Florida Panthers. With the Olympic break looming, Wednesday’s game is more than just a final outing before the pause - it’s a chance to bank two critical points in a tightly packed playoff race.
Even with key players missing, Boston will look to lean on its depth and defensive structure - something that’s become a hallmark of this team - as they try to finish strong before the league hits pause for international play.