Bruins recall rookie defenseman ahead of road trip

Bruins recall rookie defenseman ahead of road trip

The Boston Bruins made a number of changes on Tuesday ahead of their four-game road trip out west.

General manager Don Sweeney stated that the organization has sent forward Oskar Steen to Providence, placed center Matt Poitras on long-term injured reserve, and recalled defenseman Mason Lohrei from Providence. This season, the rookie played 27 games for Boston. He last played for the Bruins on January 18, against the Colorado Avalanche.

Lohrei’s recall comes after the Bruins lost Hampus Lindholm in the third period of Monday’s shootout victory over the Dallas Stars. The defenseman landed awkwardly after colliding with Ty Dellandrea behind Boston’s net. Lindholm skated awkwardly to the bench and paused briefly before continuing down the tunnel.
Following Monday’s game, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery informed reporters that there was no “concrete” information on Lindholm. The Bruins are off on Tuesday, so there will most likely be no information until Wednesday.

Poitras’ relocation to long-term injured reserve was predicted. The rookie center had season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month and is slated to miss five months. Poitras initiated a hit on Arizona Coyotes’ Sean Durzi, but he ended up taking the brunt of it.

Steen, who has been with the Bruins since the team placed Milan Lucic on LTIR in October, was placed on waivers Monday. In 34 games, the forward scored one goal, blocked 19 shots, and took 79 hits.

“We feel Steen has given us everything he possibly could,” Montgomery told reporters on Monday. “When you’re not winning, you make changes. “He’s the one we decided to change.”

The Bruins, who ended their four-game losing streak Monday afternoon at TD Garden, will now embark on a four-game road trip, beginning Wednesday night against the Edmonton Oilers.