The Bruins expected far more when they signed Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract on July 1. But this looks like his level.

If the Bruins do opt for a mid-season retool this year, Boston could have several appealing trade chip in place.

The Boston Bruins, for most of Don Sweeney’s almost 10 years as general manager, have had a clear objective ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Buy. The Bruins’ problem for much of the last eight years hasn’t been whether they could qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Despite an up-and-down season for the team, Pavel Zacha and Cole Koepke have put together solid campaigns for the Bruins in 2024-25.

Lindholm earned his first multi-point effort since Dec. 17. The 30-year-old center is warming up again with four points over his last four outings. He's up to eight goals, 24 points, 77 shots on net, 82 hits, 50 blocked shots and a minus-5 rating over 48 appearances.

First, Brandon Carlo fell down with the puck in his own zone and, after getting up, his flip-out was kept in by Jersey. The B’s regained control but Oesterle’s breakout pass went off Charlie Coyle’s skates and the Devils made it count. Eventually, Dawson Mercer evened the game on a turnaround shot from the slot.

According to interim coach Joe Sacco, the physical forward is out with an illness. Frederic’s absence leaves the Bruins without one of their most physical players. He has seven goals and seven assists in 47 games. The Bruins are now missing, Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, Cole Koepke and Frederic.

Things came apart in a hurry in the middle frame. The Bruins didn’t react well to two calls against them that they didn’t like and the Devils took advantage delivering an early knockout blow. They became the latest struggling team to get right against Boston, beating the Bruins, 5-1, Wednesday at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Dawson Mercer scored bookend goals in New Jersey's four-goal second period, propelling the Devils to a 5-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday in Newark, N.J.

The Boston Bruins will be playing the New Jersey Devils tonight at the Prudential Center. This is an important contest for the Original Six club, as a win would allow them to pass the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, and Montreal Canadiens in the standings.

Will Smith had a goal and assist for the Sharks in a 6-3 loss to the Bruins in his homecoming on Monday before San Jose also lost 7-5 at Nashville