Bruins activate Lindholm for 5-2 win over Islanders as Aspirot debuts

The Boston Bruins activated defenseman Hampus Lindholm from injured reserve on Tuesday and inserted him into the lineup for a 5-2 comeback win over the New York Islanders, a move that also kept rookie call-up Jonathan Aspirot on the roster and sent Michael Callahan back to AHL Providence. Lindholm, who went on injured reserve retroactive to October 9 after leaving the season opener with a lower-body injury, returned to game action for the first time since an Oct. 18 matchup in Colorado and recorded an assist on David Pastrnak's goal that tied the game 2-2.

Lindholm’s designation had been a source of concern because he missed the majority of last season after suffering a fractured patella that required two surgeries and ended his 2024-25 campaign on November 12. The team has said this recent injury is unrelated to that surgery. Coach Marco Sturm confirmed Lindholm would play against the Islanders, and praised his impact after the win. "I wanted to hug him after the game. He was outstanding," Sturm said, noting Lindholm helped steady the defense and made several key plays.

The roster shuffle left a path for 26-year-old Jonathan Aspirot to make his NHL debut. The undrafted Quebec...