Bruins coach gives updates on two defensemen
Derek Forbort missed Thursday’s practice ahead of the Boston Bruins’ game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden, while Hampus Lindholm returned and was wearing a regular practice jersey.
“Forbort is day to day,” coach Jim Montgomery told reporters. “He’s dealing with some minor aches and pains.”
The defenseman has struggled since returning from injury last month and hasn’t been able to find his legs, particularly on the penalty kill where he’d been a strong asset for the Bruins. It’s unclear if Forbort’s “aches and pains” are related to the injury that caused him to miss a handful of games. He didn’t play in the Bruins’ last two games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers.
Lindholm, meanwhile, hasn’t played since Feb. 19 after a collision with Dallas Stars’ Ty Dellandrea. Their knees collided behind the Bruins’ net, leaving Boston’s defenseman to skate awkwardly back to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game. He’d been skating at Warrior Ice Arena, but Thursday marked the first time the defenseman practiced in full gear since his injury.
The blue liner isn’t an option for Boston on Thursday, “but he’s getting closer every day,” Montgomery said.
The Bruins have certainly missed Lindholm’s presence, given the fact he was averaging 23:42 of ice time before his injury.
Boston will try to get back in the win column when it welcomes the Maple Leafs to TD Garden on Thursday night. Prior to the game, the Bruins will honor players from 2001-present, including the 2011 Stanley Cup champions.
