The Bruins had little to smile about in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, but Elias Lindholm kept doing the kind of work that doesn’t always jump off the page and still matters plenty. He assisted on both Boston goals, with Casey Mittelstadt scoring twice late to make the final margin look a little less brutal.
Lindholm’s night was about more than the points, though. He went 13-for-18 on faceoffs against Montreal, good for a 72.2% success rate, and according to The Boston Globe, he left the game with an NHL-high 230 faceoff wins on the season.
That’s become a real calling card for Lindholm. Winning draws helps Boston get possession right away, which can set the tone offensively after stoppages. It also becomes a big deal when the Bruins are trying to protect a lead or get out of their own end.
Thursday was a rough team performance in a lot of other areas. Montreal took advantage of defensive breakdowns and transition chances, piling up a big lead before Boston could get much going.
Even in that mess, Lindholm kept contributing. He and Mittelstadt each finished at plus-2 despite the Bruins allowing five goals.
The loss snapped Boston’s four-game winning streak and dropped the club to 13-5-1. The Bruins are still right in the middle of a crowded Atlantic Division race, where several teams have opened the season strongly.
For Boston, Lindholm’s faceoff work gives the team a steady base to lean on. It also gives head coach Marco Sturm more options when deciding who to trust in key spots.
The Bruins signed Lindholm in 2024 expecting him to be a reliable center, and his work in the circle is a reminder that value at that position goes well beyond goals and assists.
Boston will try to bounce back against Minnesota on Saturday, and after Thursday’s frustration, Lindholm’s consistency is one of the few clear positives to carry forward.
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