Bruins Recall Winger Amid Insane Hot Streak With Providence

The Bruins got back on track Thursday night, but roster shuffling continued Friday morning.

Boston recalled winger Marc McLaughlin from Providence ahead of practice and, in a corresponding move, sent forward Georgii Merkulov back to the AHL.

McLaughlin certainly earned the promotion with his recent play. The 25-year-old has scored a goal in each of his last five games with the Baby B’s. The North Billerica, Mass., native has registered 5-3-8 totals through his first 10 games with Providence.

Merkulov struggled to gain much traction in his return to the NHL. The 24-year-old managed just one assist in his three games with the big club, posting a minus-3 in a loss to Columbus earlier this week. He logged just 12:42 of ice time in Thursday night’s win over Utah, with more than 4 minutes of that coming on the power play. He got just 2:19 of even-strength ice time in the third period.

McLaughlin is no stranger to the NHL. The Boston College alum broke in with an 11-game showing in 2021-22, a stretch in which he scored three goals for the B’s. He hasn’t had many opportunities since, though, appearing in just three combined games over the last two seasons. He did score a goal in his only NHL game last season, though.

Boston won Thursday night in the debut for interim head coach Joe Sacco, his first game behind the bench since Jim Montgomery’s dismissal. General manager Don Sweeney admitted the roster could see changes, too. While McLaughlin’s recall isn’t a blockbuster, the Bruins aren’t out of the woods and could use his energy and newfound scoring touch.

The Bruins return to action Saturday in Detroit.