The cavalry has returned to help the Boston Bruins stop the New York Rangers in their tracks.
Bruce Cassidy revealed to reporters Saturday at a press conference Hampus Lindholm, David Pastrnak and Linus Ullmark all will return from injury to the Bruins lineup. The trio practiced fully Wednesday, but their respective comebacks still are surprising, as Cassidy previously had indicated they’d be available Sunday or Tuesday.
The good news means Pastrnak will slot back into his second-line right wing spot, bumping Curtis Lazar back to the fourth line. Marc McLaughlin will be a healthy scratch.
Ullmark will re-join Charlie McAvoy on Boston’s top defensive pairing, moving Matt Grzelcyk to the second unit, where he’ll partner Brandon Carlo. Mike Reilly will be a healthy scratch, as Cassidy opts to keep the Derek Forbort-Connor Clifton third pairing intact.
Ullmark’s return as starting goaltender ends Jeremy Swayman’s run of consecutive starts at three games.
New York has won four of its last five meetings with Boston, including three of the last four games they’ve played at TD Garden. With a victory Saturday, the Rangers will sweep their season series with the Bruins for the first time since 2016-17, something no Boston sports supporters ever want to see.
ABC will air Bruins-Rangers. Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
Here are the teams’ projected lines and pairings.
BOSTON BRUINS (47-25-5)
Brad Marchand–Patrice Bergeron– Jake DeBrusk
Taylor Hall–Erik Haula–David Pastrnak
Trent Frederic–Charlie Coyle–Craig Smith
Nick Foligno–Tomas Nosek–Curtis Lazar
Hampus Lindholm–Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk–Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort–Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
NEW YORK RANGERS (51-21-6)
Chris Kreider–Mika Zibanejad–Frank Vatrano
Artemi Panarin–Ryan Strome–Dryden Hunt
Alexis Lafreniere–Barclay Goodrow–Jonny Brodzinski
Greg McKegg–Kevin Rooney–Ryan Reaves
Ryan Lindgren–Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller–Jacob Trouba
Justin Braun–Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
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