The Boston Bruins’ playoff push just became significantly more difficult with even more injury news added to the worries related to defenseman Charlie McAvoy's situation.
General manager Don Sweeney confirmed Sunday that defenseman Hampus Lindholm is “unlikely” to return this season after fracturing his patella.
Meanwhile, McAvoy remains without a timeline for his return, per Boston Globe's Conor Ryan.
Boston now faces an even tougher road to the playoffs considering the two aforementioned blueliners ranked first and second in average playing time with McAvoy logging 23:40 minutes per game and Lindholm averaging 20:51 minutes of time on ice.
Lindholm suffered the injury blocking a shot in November and had surgery. He will undergo a follow-up procedure next week, effectively ending his season. The 31-year-old had seven points in 17 games before being sidelined.
McAvoy, meanwhile, injured his shoulder while playing for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. After he played another game after sustaining the injury, the Bruins sounded extremely unhappy with how Team USA handled the situation.
Boston released a statement confirming McAvoy's acceptance into a hospital to treat an infection. Sweeney declined to comment on that issue but did not provide a return date for McAvoy, who had 26 points in 48 games this season.
The Bruins enter Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, one point outside of the playoff picture and the second wild-card spot.
That said, Boston has played one more game than all teams surrounding the Bruins in the standings.
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